BellaNaija's Collette & Esther Are Heading to Zambia for Africa Creative Market 2026

BellaNaija's Collette and Esther are heading to Zambia for Africa Creative Market 2026, and it's got everyone in the Nigerian creative industry excited. But what does it mean for the thousands of creatives struggling to make a living in Nigeria, where the economy is in shambles and the Naira is losing value by the day? For Esther Ordia and Collette, the opportunity to connect with other creatives from across Africa and beyond is a dream come true. But for the rest of us, it's a painful reminder that the conversation about Africa's creative economy is happening without us.

Africa Creative Market 2026 promises to bring together creatives, innovators, industry leaders, and change makers from across Africa and beyond. Sounds impressive, but what does it really mean? In reality, it means that the same Nigerian creatives who can't afford to attend a local industry event are now being asked to shell out thousands of dollars to attend a conference in Zambia. It's a market for the elite, where only those with the means to travel can participate. And what about the rest of us? Are we expected to be content with the scraps that fall from the table of the privileged few who get to attend these events?

The programme features speakers like Kelechi Amadi Obi, Joel Kachi Benson, and other creative voices. But what about the voices of the marginalized? What about the creatives who can't afford to attend these events, who can't even get their work seen or heard? Are they not important enough to have a platform? The screening of 77: The FESTAC Conspiracy might be an exciting moment for some, but what about the creatives working in other fields? Don't they deserve to have their work showcased too?

BellaNaija is promising to bring BNers along on the journey to Africa Creative Market 2026. But what does that really mean? Is it just a way to create buzz and excitement around an event that only a select few can attend? Or is it a genuine attempt to create opportunities for collaboration and growth? The truth is, we've seen this promise before. We've seen it time and time again, with events and conferences that promise to bring creatives together but ultimately end up being just another opportunity for the privileged few to network and make deals.