Entertainment Week Africa Celebrates 5 Years With Its Most Ambitious Edition Yet

Entertainment Week Africa is gearing up for a major milestone. The pan-African creative platform will mark its fifth anniversary this November with an expanded edition that’s set to transform how the continent’s entertainment industry connects, collaborates, and conducts business.

Running from November 17-22, 2026 in Lagos, EWA is doubling down on its mission under the theme “Five Years of Closing the Gap.” What started as a local creative gathering has evolved into a continental powerhouse, drawing delegations from over 18 African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. The numbers tell the story: across four editions, EWA has attracted 67,800+ attendees, with last year’s event alone bringing in 28,683 pass-holders and generating over 800 million digital impressions worldwide. This year, expect 30-40% of delegates to travel from outside Nigeria, cementing EWA’s status as a truly pan-African marketplace.

The anniversary edition introduces seven core tracks—Film & TV, Music, Fashion & Beauty, AI & Tech, Art & Animation, Live Events & Production, and Creative Enterprise. But EWA isn’t just about panels and networking anymore. The platform has proven itself as a deal-making engine, with its 2025 Deal Room processing 178+ entries and helping four companies secure live investor interest. For 2026, the focus sharpens on practical outcomes through the EWA Deal Room, Content and Music Markets, Capital Desk, Creators Hub, and LABSPOT skills development program. The event will also host the world premiere of “University of Side Hustle,” the first scripted feature from Livespot Studios, written by Dami Elebe and executive produced by Deola Art-Alade—a clear signal that EWA is now producing the IP it helps export to the world.

“EWA started with a simple but urgent belief: African creativity deserves stronger platforms, better access, and greater value,” said Deola Art-Alade, Convener of Entertainment Week Africa and Group CEO of Livespot360. “Today, the work is no longer just about convening the industry; it is about building the systems that help talent meet capital, ideas meet opportunity, and culture become long-term economic power.” Co-Founder Darey Art Alade added that EWA 2026 is focused on creating pathways for the next generation, providing access to “work, learning, platforms, community and real pathways into enterprise.” Registration and speaker submissions are now open at ewafrica.com.

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