CANEX Create-thon 2026 Offers African Creators Funding and Global Exposure

The CANEX Create-thon features a US$50,000 prize pool and is open to amateur, emerging and established creators from across Africa.

African creators working in music, film and gaming will soon have a new platform to turn their ideas into market-ready projects through the CANEX Create-thon 2026, a continent-wide competition launched by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) under its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme.

Organised in partnership with Gebeya, a pan-African technology company that has developed a proprietary large language model and digital infrastructure for African language users, the initiative combines financial support, technology and mentorship to help creators transform original concepts into commercially viable products.

Competition rewards creativity with funding

The CANEX Create-thon features a US$50,000 prize pool and is open to amateur, emerging and established creators from across Africa. Individuals and teams can compete in three categories—music, video and gaming—without needing the backing of a production company, professional studio or an established audience.

Unlike traditional competitions that focus on business pitches, participants will be required to build and submit working prototypes or completed creative projects. The goal is to showcase what African creators can achieve when they have access to modern digital tools, technical expertise and opportunities to reach wider markets.

An intensive four-day creation sprint will take place from 20 to 24 August 2026, during which participants will use Gebeya's Dala Studio platform, supported by computing resources and practical technical assistance.

Technology and mentorship at the centre

Between 30 and 40 ambassadors from Gebeya's community network will guide participants throughout the creation sprint, helping them use the Dala Studio platform, overcome technical challenges and maximise available computing resources.

Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank, said African creators have demonstrated exceptional talent but often struggle to access financing and technology needed to expand their businesses.

He said the Create-thon is designed to help creators convert popular ideas into sustainable businesses, enabling them to retain more value from their work while strengthening Africa's position in regional and international creative markets.

Gebeya Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Amadou Daffe said Africa's creative industries are already experiencing strong commercial growth, citing rapid expansion in music, gaming and film. He noted that many creators still face barriers in accessing production technology and infrastructure, making initiatives like the Create-thon essential for transforming creative ideas into products that attract audiences, investors and commercial partners.

Winners to attend CANEX WKND 2026

The competition will award first, second and third prizes in each of the three categories. Winners will receive US$7,000 for first place, US$3,500 for second place and US$1,500 for third place. Qualifying finalists will also receive US$500 awards under the competition guidelines.

Entries will first undergo technology-assisted screening to verify compliance before advancing to a public voting stage, where the top 100 projects will be selected. An expert panel representing the creative, technology and business sectors will then choose the final winners.

The first-place winner in each category will earn the opportunity to attend CANEX WKND 2026, scheduled to take place at the National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria, from 5 to 8 November 2026.

Beyond prize money, selected creators will gain exposure through Afreximbank's CANEX network, providing opportunities to connect with investors, businesses, policymakers and leaders from Africa's creative industries.

Registration for the CANEX Create-thon opens on 30 July 2026 and closes on 19 August 2026.