EWA AT 5: Entertainment Week Africa Unveils Expanded Pan-African Edition for 2026

As I stepped into the bustling streets of Lagos, the vibrant atmosphere was palpable. Everywhere I looked, I saw the city's creative energy in full swing, from the street artists adding their own flair to buildings to the young entrepreneurs pitching their innovative ideas. It's a city that's always on the move, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible. And in the heart of this creative explosion is Entertainment Week Africa (EWA), a platform that's been at the forefront of Africa's growing creative economy for five years.

Under the theme "Five Years of Closing the Gap," EWA 2026 is set to be its most ambitious chapter yet. The platform has evolved from a major cultural gathering into a structured creative-economy platform, where talent, founders, investors, commissioners, buyers, policymakers, platforms, brands, and institutions meet to do business across a $59 billion creative economy. As I delved deeper into the source, I was struck by the sheer scale of EWA's impact. Five years in, it has convened 67,800+ cumulative attendees across its first four editions, including 28,683 pass-holders in 2025, driving 5M+ online engagements and 800M+ digital reach and impressions last year.

This year's anniversary edition is a continental marketplace like no other, bringing together delegations from 18+ African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and more. With 3040% of delegates traveling from outside Nigeria, EWA 2026 is evidence of the platform's growing influence across the continent. The event will feature seven tracks, including Art & Animation, Film & TV, Music, Fashion & Beauty, AI & Tech, Live Events & Production, and Creative Enterprise. And with the world premiere of University of Side Hustle, the first scripted feature film from Livespot Studios, EWA 2026 is set to be a turning point for the African creative economy.

EWA 2026's Deal Room is where the magic happens. Last year's edition drew 178+ entries, advanced 9 companies to its accelerator, and saw 4 attract live investor interest in the room. It's a proven deal engine that's helping to bridge the gap between creators and investors, between talent and opportunity. And with its expanded pan-African edition, EWA 2026 is set to take this momentum to the next level.

As I reflected on EWA's impact, I couldn't help but think about the future of Africa's creative economy. With its growing influence, its innovative platform, and its commitment to closing the gap between creators and investors, EWA is poised to be a major player in the region's creative landscape. And as the platform continues to evolve, I have no doubt that it will play a significant role in shaping the future of Africa's creative economy.

• EWA 2026 will run from November 17 to 22, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
• The platform has convened 67,800+ cumulative attendees across its first four editions.
• EWA 2026 will feature delegations from 18+ African countries.
• The event will include seven tracks, including Art & Animation, Film & TV, Music, Fashion & Beauty, AI & Tech, Live Events & Production, and Creative Enterprise.
• The world premiere of University of Side Hustle, the first scripted feature film from Livespot Studios, will take place at EWA 2026.

As EWA 2026 gets ready to take the continent, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning of a new chapter in Africa's creative economy. With its expanded pan-African edition, EWA is poised to be a major player in the region's creative landscape. And as the platform continues to evolve, I have no doubt that it will play a significant role in shaping the future of Africa's creative economy.