The Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2022, which opened on the banks of the Ebrié Lagoon on Friday, 25 November 2022, closed its doors this Sunday, with financial pledges greatly exceeding predictions.
On Sunday, 27 November, when the time came to take stock, the organisers of the CANEX WKND announced US$412 million in financing and non-financing partnerships concluded during the three-day event.
The Executive Vice President of the Afreximbank Intra-African Trade Bank, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, announced at the closing press conference that all expectations were exceeded. “More than 2,800 people from 60 countries in Africa and beyond participated in CANEX WKND where we had a registration target of 1,500 people. On the exhibition side, we were expecting 50, but we ended up with 75. The CANEX Music Factory incubation programme received over 256 talents and recorded 23 songs that have the potential to be released. 13 masterclasses were held, 13 panels and fireside chats, 17 live performances. The results are more than satisfactory,” said Ms Awani.
On her part, the Ivorian Minister for Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, welcomed the initiative from the private sector, and expressed the will of Côte d’Ivoire to developing the creative and cultural sector. She stated that most frequently, actors in the creative industries deplore the lack of investments and commitment by the financial sector. Afreximbank has responded to this appeal through such events. The government as a whole is firmly committed to making cultural and creative industries a priority sector.