Entertainment Week Africa Celebrates Five Years with Its Biggest Pan-African Edition Yet

Entertainment Week Africa is marking a major milestone. As the platform turns five, it’s gearing up for its most ambitious gathering yet—a massive pan-African edition coming to Lagos this November that’s set to transform how Africa’s creative economy does business.

Running from November 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme “Five Years of Closing the Gap,” EWA 2026 is bringing together delegations from over 18 African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. The numbers tell the story of EWA’s growth: across its first four editions, the platform has attracted 67,800+ cumulative attendees, with the 2025 edition alone drawing 28,683 pass-holders from eight countries. Last year’s event generated over 5 million online engagements and reached 800 million impressions globally.

This year’s edition expands to seven core tracks: Film & TV, Music, Fashion & Beauty, AI & Tech, Live Events & Production, Creative Enterprise, and the newly added Art & Animation. But EWA isn’t just about panels and showcases anymore—it’s becoming a serious marketplace. The platform’s Deal Room attracted 178+ entries in 2025, with nine companies advancing to its accelerator program and four securing live investor interest. The 2026 edition will feature structured commercial formats including the EWA Deal Room, Content and Music Markets, the EWA Capital Desk, and LABSPOT, the platform’s skills development engine. A major highlight will be the world premiere of University of Side Hustle, the first scripted feature film from Livespot Studios, written by Dami Elebe and executive produced by Deola Art-Alade. “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. “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.” Registration for EWA 2026 is now open at ewafrica.com.

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