From Conversations to Collaboration: BellaNaija's Collette & Esther Wrap Up an Inspiring Week at Africa Creative Market 2026

As I reflect on the Africa Creative Market 2026, I am reminded of the power of conversations that can ignite a sense of purpose and community. Last week, I packed my bags for Lusaka, Zambia, alongside Collette and Esther from BellaNaija, to experience the market firsthand. For six inspiring days, we were treated to conversations, collaboration, and cultural exchange that left an indelible mark on our minds and hearts.

The Africa Creative Market, held from June 29 to July 4, 2026, was a partnership between Africa Creative Market (ACM), Creative Industries Business Summit Zambia (CIBSZ), and KWIMBO. The conference transformed Lusaka into a vibrant hub for Africa's creative economy, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, development partners, and industry leaders from across the continent. The shared vision was clear: to strengthen the creative industries through collaboration, innovation, and investment.

The convergence officially opened with the ACM × CIBSZ Opening Ceremony, themed Positioning Zambia as Africa's Next Creative and Digital Economy Powerhouse. Government representatives, development organisations, and creative industry leaders attended, including Dr. Inya Lawal, Founder of Africa Creative Market, and representatives of the Government of Zambia, the Nigerian High Commission, and other key stakeholders. The ceremony reinforced the importance of positioning creativity as a driver of economic growth across Africa.

As the conversations grew richer, one of the standout sessions on opening day was The YouTube Economy: A Creator's Roadmap to Revenue, convened by Oma Areh, Founder of Digital Creator Africa. The session featured creators including Layi Wasabi and Olufemi Oguntamu (Penzaar), who explored audience growth, content strategy, monetisation, and the realities of building sustainable businesses in today's creator economy. Running alongside it was the Creative Capital Forum, themed Unlocking Zambia's Next Growth Frontier: Investing in the Creative Economy. Industry leaders, including Uche Okocha of Trino Motion Pictures, International actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Maanka. A Chipinda, Director of Zambia's National Arts Council, examined the role of policy, infrastructure, and investment in unlocking Africa's creative potential.

The Visual Arts and Craft Summit, moderated by Oyinkansola Foza Fawehinmi, explored how artists and artisans can preserve culture while embracing innovation and expanding into global markets. The summit also featured conversations on digital art and emerging technologies, including

A week that started with grand ambitions and high-stakes conversations ended with a renewed sense of purpose and collaboration. Collette and Esther from BellaNaija, who joined me on this journey, reflected on the experience, saying it was a "celebration of African creativity" and evidence of the power of the continent's creative industries. As we look to the future, it's clear that the conversations started at Africa Creative Market 2026 will continue to ignite a sense of purpose and community, driving collaboration and innovation across the continent.

• Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026 was held from June 29 to July 4, 2026.
• The conference was a partnership between Africa Creative Market (ACM), Creative Industries Business Summit Zambia (CIBSZ), and KWIMBO.
• The shared vision of the conference was to strengthen the creative industries through collaboration, innovation, and investment.

As I close this article, I am reminded of the words of Dr. Inya Lawal, Founder of Africa Creative Market, who said, "Creativity is the driver of economic growth across Africa." It's a message that resonates deeply, and one that will continue to guide us as we look to the future and the many possibilities that Africa's creative industries have to offer.