Africa Creative Market 2026 Wraps Historic Six-Day Summit in Lusaka, Charting New Course for Continent’s Creative Economy

Lusaka, Zambia just played host to one of Africa’s most ambitious gatherings of creative minds, industry leaders, and policymakers. The Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026 brought thousands of delegates together from June 29 to July 4 for a landmark event that proves Africa’s creative economy is ready to claim its seat at the global table.

Partnering with the Creative Industries Business Summit Zambia (CIBSZ) and the Kwimbo National Arts Festival, ACM 2026 assembled creative professionals from Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and beyond. The six-day program delivered everything from investment forums and legal summits to fashion shows, film premieres, and music showcases—all designed to unlock the economic firepower of Africa’s cultural assets. Dr. Inya Lawal, ACM’s founder, set the tone from the jump, explaining why Zambia earned hosting duties: “People often ask me why we chose Zambia. My answer has always been simple: because Zambia is ready.” Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe from Zambia’s Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts echoed that readiness with a crucial reminder: “Talent alone is not enough. We must build the structures that allow talent to thrive.”

That became the conference’s driving message—Africa’s got the talent in spades, but sustainable growth demands serious infrastructure, smart policy, strategic investment, and cross-border unity. The Creative Capital Forum tackled financing head-on, with banks, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders mapping pathways to fund creative businesses and scale them globally. Meanwhile, the Global Creative Legal Summit dove into intellectual property protection, AI regulations, cross-border licensing, and opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The summit also unveiled the African Creative Economy Lawyer (ACEL) initiative and the Entertainment & Creative Law Hub (ECLH), strengthening legal frameworks for creators across the continent. Digital innovation took center stage at the Creative Technology Summit, where discussions explored animation, immersive tech, and AI’s role in African storytelling. The YouTube Economy session and Digital Creator Africa Summit challenged content creators to build sustainable businesses beyond viral moments—through IP ownership, strategic partnerships, and diversified revenue streams.

The event celebrated African excellence across multiple sectors. Film took a major spotlight with the Zambian premiere of feature film 77, drawing acclaimed actors, filmmakers, and government officials. The Women in Film & TV Africa Conference, Kingdom Film Festival, and Distribution Summit brought industry executives together to address financing, leadership development, and audience access. Fashion had its moment through the FashionEVO Summit and Awards, showcasing sustainable production, manufacturing innovation, and the commercial power of contemporary African design. The week also honored creative excellence through the National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) Awards and the Women in Film & TV Africa Gala. Beyond the conference halls, the Kwimbo National Arts Festival transformed Lusaka into a cultural celebration featuring music, dance, exhibitions, and performances that connected families and visitors to Zambia’s rich heritage. The event closed with the ACM Next Level Music Showcase, where ten emerging artists competed for career-changing opportunities. Philip Mweemba took home the grand prize, earning cash plus international music distribution and publishing support.

As ACM 2026 wrapped in Lusaka, organizers made it clear this isn’t just an annual conference—it’s becoming the continental platform where policy meets enterprise, culture intersects with commerce, and partnerships evolve into transformative opportunities. Africa’s creative economy is shifting from being celebrated solely for cultural richness to being recognized for innovation capacity, investment potential, and economic transformation power.

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