Afreximbank Targets Africa’s Creative Funding Gap with $50,000 Create-thon
Event Details
Programme: CANEX Create-thon 2026
Organised by: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, in partnership with Gebeya
Prize Pool: $50,000
Dates: Creation sprint – 20 to 24 August 2026
Registration: Opened 30 July 2026 | Closes 19 August 2026
Categories: Music, Video and Gaming
Prizes: 1st place – $7,000 | 2nd place – $3,500 | 3rd place – $1,500 (per category) + $500 for qualifying finalists
Support: Access to Gebeya’s Dala Studio platform, computing resources and 30–40 ambassadors
Extra Benefit: First-place winners invited to CANEX WKND 2026 (5–8 November 2026, National Theatre, Lagos)
Afreximbank is taking a practical step to close the long-standing funding and technology gaps facing Africa’s creative industry. Through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme and in partnership with pan-African technology company Gebeya, the bank has launched the CANEX Create-thon 2026 — a $50,000 competition designed to turn original ideas into working projects.
How the Create-thon Came About
African creators already enjoy global visibility and digital talent, yet many still struggle to access the financial backing and professional tools needed to scale their work. Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank, noted that while talent is abundant, the missing pieces are often capital and technology.
The Create-thon was designed as a solution. Instead of a traditional pitch contest, participants must build and submit working prototypes or completed projects in music, video or gaming. The four-day creation sprint runs from 20 to 24 August 2026, giving creators intensive access to Gebeya’s Dala Studio platform, computing resources and support from 30 to 40 ambassadors drawn from Gebeya’s community network.
CANEX Create thon 2026
The Essence of the Initiative: From Idea to Executable Product
Amadou Daffe, CEO and co-founder of Gebeya, highlighted the commercial momentum already visible across the continent — recorded music revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa grew by more than 20 percent in a single year, the gaming market continues to expand, and Nigeria’s film industry ranks among the world’s largest by volume. What many creators still lack is the production infrastructure and digital tools required to move from inspiration to finished product.
Through Dala Studio, the Create-thon places practical digital tools directly in the hands of participants and challenges them to create original work that can reach audiences, attract partners and generate commercial value. The goal is to help African creators retain more of the value they generate and build competitive positions in both regional and global markets.
How Creators Can Participate and Benefit
The competition is open to amateur, emerging and established creators across Africa. Individuals and teams may enter without needing a production company, conventional studio or existing audience. Registration opened on 30 July and closes on 19 August 2026.
Eligible submissions first undergo technology-assisted screening. Approved entries move to a public voting stage that selects the top 100 projects. An expert panel from the creative, technology and business sectors then chooses the winners.
Beyond the cash prizes, first-place winners in each category receive an invitation to CANEX WKND 2026 at the National Theatre in Lagos (5–8 November 2026). Selected winners also gain exposure through Afreximbank’s CANEX network and opportunities to connect with creators, businesses, investors, policymakers and industry leaders.
The CANEX Create-thon forms part of Afreximbank’s broader effort to develop and commercialise Africa’s creative and cultural industries. By combining funding, technology and structured support, it aims to establish a replicable model that identifies creative-technology talent and helps turn African creative ideas into commercially relevant products.
