Creatives Connect Afrika returns to Accra for second edition in 2026

The second edition of the Creatives Connect Afrika Forum and Festival is set to return to Accra from November 30 to December 3, 2026. Hosted at the Alisa Hotel North Ridge, the event is organized by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in partnership with Africa Tourism Partners and Black Star Experience. This year’s theme, ‐Entertainment-Led Tourism: Transforming Pan-African Creative Wealth into Global Economic Influence,‐ highlights the strategic push to integrate the creative and cultural industries into the broader African economic landscape.

The four-day program is designed to explore the intersection of entertainment and tourism, seeking ways to boost tourist arrivals and attract new investments to the continent. By bringing together policymakers, creatives, and investors, the forum aims to turn Africa's vast creative potential into tangible economic gains. Key discussions will focus on leveraging the creative sector to enhance intra-African trade, aligning with the objectives of the AfCFTA to create a more integrated and prosperous continental market.

Attendees can expect a diverse range of activities, including high-level policy dialogues, professional masterclasses, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering cross-border partnerships. A significant highlight of the 2026 edition will be the Film, Animation, and Creative Content Festival, which will showcase African talent and provide a platform for cultural exchange. These sessions are intended to provide practical solutions to ongoing challenges within the sector, such as limited access to finance and the fragmentation of markets across different regions.

This upcoming edition builds on the momentum of the inaugural festival held in 2025, which established a foundation for collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism and creative industries. By focusing on integrated value chains, the organizers hope to address structural barriers that have historically hindered the growth of African creatives. The festival serves as a critical platform for ensuring that Africa’s cultural wealth translates into global economic influence while strengthening the bonds of trade and tourism between member states.