Latest news with #CreativeAfricaNexus
Broadcast Pro
14-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Afreximbank and FEDA launch $1bn Africa Film Fund
The fund aims to boost production and global distribution of quality African films and TV, enhancing the continent's cultural impact worldwide. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its impact investment subsidiary, the Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA), has announced the establishment of the Africa Film Fund, a landmark initiative set to reshape the future of filmmaking and the broader creative sector across the African continent. Launched under the Bank's Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the fund represents a transformative commitment of up to $1bn to stimulate the growth of Africa's film and audiovisual industries. Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative, describing film as a foundational pillar of the CANEX programme. He noted that while Africa's creative sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, it continues to face persistent challenges, including limited funding, difficulty scaling productions, and restricted access to international markets. The Africa Film Fund, he explained, aims to close these gaps and enable African creators to achieve global reach. Oramah added that the Fund will work in tandem with complementary efforts such as the CANEX Shorts Awards to elevate diverse African narratives. These initiatives, he said, reflect Afreximbank's broader vision to harness the power of culture as an economic engine and a tool for global influence. The Africa Film Fund was first proposed during the CANEX Weekend 2024 in Algiers, where Afreximbank pledged to create a private equity vehicle via FEDA to support film production and distribution across the continent. The Fund will serve as a critical lever to boost both the quality and reach of African film and television projects, helping to export Global Africa's cultural identity while drawing essential investment into the sector. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the African film and audiovisual industry already contributes an estimated $bn in annual revenue and employs more than 5m people. Yet the sector faces notable structural obstacles, including limited access to production and post-production facilities, a dearth of exhibition venues—with fewer than 2,000 cinema screens continent-wide—and inadequate availability of digital distribution platforms. The Africa Film Fund is designed to address these issues comprehensively, not only by providing capital but also by nurturing an enabling ecosystem for creators. Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA, highlighted the Fund's broader mission, stating that the initiative is about more than just financing—it's about empowering African talent, fostering cultural exchange, and driving sustainable economic transformation. She emphasised FEDA's commitment to ensuring that the Fund yields long-term, inclusive benefits across the creative landscape. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, reinforced this sentiment, noting that the Fund offers African storytellers access to the tools, platforms, and visibility necessary to share their narratives on the global stage. For Awani, the creative economy is a strategic asset—one that contributes not only to cultural expression but also to youth empowerment, economic resilience, and regional integration. The announcement has drawn enthusiastic support from influential figures in the global entertainment industry. Viola Davis, EGOT-winning actress and co-founder of JVL Media LLC, praised the initiative for giving voice to Africa's rich storytelling tradition. 'African stories are deeply human and universally powerful,' Davis said. 'This Fund is an invitation to the world to see Africa through the lens of its own creators—bold, unfiltered, and rich in truth.' Boris Kodjoe, acclaimed actor and Managing Partner of FC Media Group, also expressed his excitement about the Fund, calling it the realisation of a long-held dream to produce global stories rooted in African experiences. Kodjoe welcomed the partnership with Afreximbank and FEDA as a vital step toward developing high-quality, internationally resonant content. With this bold investment in the future of African cinema, Afreximbank and FEDA are positioning the continent's creative industries at the centre of a new cultural and economic renaissance—one driven by authentic African voices and stories with universal appeal.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) unveils third edition of short film competition
Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an intervention by African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( has announced the third edition of its vibrant short film competition, CANEX Shorts, that is designed to recognise and celebrate talents of young filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora. Filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 years can enter the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 for outstanding work in each of the competition's three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation. To be eligible, they must be Africans living on the continent, in the diaspora or the Caribbean. Each filmmaker can only enter one film for which they must hold all rights. The entered films should have been produced in 2023 or after and can be in any language. Besides the cash prize, CANEX Shorts winners will also get an opportunity to participate and have their films screened at CANEX at IATF2025, which will take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025. This will also provide them with a chance to connect with potential investors and partners in what has become the largest gathering of creatives on the continent. To enter the competition, filmmakers are required to submit their films, not more than five minutes long, via the Film Freeway digital platform ( From all entries, the selection committee will curate a shortlist of 30 films - 10 films per category for submission to the jury that comprises, well-respected film experts from across the continent. The jury will then select a winning film in each of the categories during CANEX at IATF2025. The 2024 CANEX shorts winners were unveiled at CANEX WKND 2024. The winning films were: Silent Screams by Esenaga Mbwe (Botswana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Fiction category; We Shall Not Forget by Brian Obra (Kenya) in the CANEX Shorts Best Documentary category; and Room-5 by Francis Y. Brown (Ghana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Animation category. According to the jury, the quality of films submitted during CANEX WKND 2024 was exceptionally high, necessitating award of two Special Mentions: Vodoun Nouminssin and Rain Is Not the Cloud's Last Parade. CANEX at IATF2025, where the winners will be unveiled, will provide a unique platform for nurturing business, investment opportunities, collaboration, partnerships and inspiration amongst the creatives fraternity across value chains of diverse creative and cultural industries from film, music, and fashion to culinary arts, sports, and visual arts amongst others. The event participants will include creatives, policymakers, financial institutions, business and political leaders, development partners, thought leaders as well as some of the most respected names in the Creative and Cultural Industries from across the continent and the diaspora. Highlighting the importance of the competition, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said: 'Africa's film industry, estimated at over $5 billion is thriving and brimming with untapped potential,' adding, 'At Afreximbank, we are committed to unlocking this immense value by supporting platforms like CANEX Shorts that aim to propel African storytelling to the global stage. By investing in our creatives, we are not only creating jobs and economic opportunities; we're actively ensuring Africa's vibrant culture and talents gain global recognition.' To enter the 2025 CANEX Shorts competition, please visit Filmfreeway: To register to attend CANEX at IATF for free: ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. About CANEX: Given the relevance and opportunities provided by the creative economy as a key driver for development and job creation, Afreximbank has developed the Creative Africa Nexus programme to facilitate the development and growth of the creative and cultural industries in Africa and the diaspora. The initiative provides a range of financing and non-financing instruments /interventions aimed at supporting and developing Africa's production, trade, and investment in the creative sector. The key strategic objectives under the CANEX Programme include increasing Africa's share of global cultural trade flows through trade and investment promotion activities, deploying specialized financial products to support the CCI ecosystem, facilitating technical capacity programs that enable export-grade production, facilitating market access to high-value demand hubs (through partnerships) and advocating for harmonized regulatory reform, especially concerning IP rights and incentives About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. About the Intra-African Trade Fair: Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.
Zawya
22-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) announces 2nd Edition of The Prize for Publishing in Africa
Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an intervention by African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( invites African publishers of trade books to apply for the second edition of the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa. The initiative, developed in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press Limited, underscores the commitment of Afreximbank through the CANEX Book Factory to showcasing of the literary and publishing value chain in Africa, and developing literary talent across the continent and its diaspora. The inaugural edition saw Cassava Republic Press, win the Prize in 2024 for the 'Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy's Culture of Violence,' by Pumla Dineo Gqola. The CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa is designed to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of African publishers and authors to the literary world. The total prize fund is $28,000, with $20,000 awarded to the winner and $2,000 distributed to each of the four finalists. The prize is open to trade books published by Africa-domiciled publishers in the year preceding the prize, in one or more of the official languages of the African Union: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and any other African language. Submissions will be judged on the quality of writing, editing and production. Priority will be given to books printed and produced on the African continent, as well as to books published in indigenous African languages. Interested publishers should visit to register, with entries open from 17 March – 30 April 2025. The CANEX Book Factory is an annual programme of events under Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus initiative. This year's programme will culminate in an awards ceremony at the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) ( Africa's premier trade and investment event, taking place in Algiers, Algeria from 4 – 10 September 2025. During the week-long fair, more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, will be showcasing their goods and services to the visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals. Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said, 'We are delighted to announce the 2025 CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa. Building on last year's successful edition, this landmark initiative celebrates African publishing excellence. Through the CANEX Book Factory, we aim to put a spotlight on the enormous contribution of African authors and publishers to Africa's cultural identity and economy.' Dr Eghosa Imasuen, co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press Limited and Programme Manager for the CANEX Book Factory, said,"The first edition of the Prize greatly underscored the necessity of this intervention in the publishing value chain in Africa. We are grateful to Afreximbank and CANEX for their ongoing support of African publishing. We are excited to launch this second edition, and we hope to see submissions from more publishers across the continent than in the inaugural edition.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. Media Contact: Vincent Musumba Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) Email: press@ Follow Afreximbank on: X: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: About the CANEX Book Factory: The CANEX Book Factory is an annual programme of events under Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus initiative. The CANEX Book Factory is designed to spotlight and elevate the African book value chain through a publishing prize, a Pan-African writing workshop, and an e-newsletter highlighting African literature. About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank's total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. For more information, visit: About the Intra-African Trade Fair: Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.
Associated Press
12-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
COTERIE New York Hosted Brands from Across the Globe with Record High International Presence and Expanded Retail Engagement
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire COTERIE New York, the biannual contemporary and advanced contemporary women's wholesale fashion event, welcomed the Fall Winter 25/26 season with a record-high global reach, as 45% of international brands represented from over the world. The growing international presence drew in buyers seeking fresh, globally influenced collections, top retailers including Le Bon Marche, Moniker, Al Tayer Dubai, Lisa Says Gah!, Vail Resorts, Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, Four Season Orlando and Pitkin Country Dry Goods. With increasing global reach, COTERIE New York expanded the international pavilions with Italy, Korea and Africa, alongside the new addition of Peru in partnership with PROMPERÚ. The launch of Creative Africa Nexus (Canex) program featured ten African brands, igniting conversations around new market opportunities and highlighting the innovative design talents. These curated spaces not only brought new perspectives to the forefront but also helped buyers source unique, globally inspired collections that reflect the evolving consumer demands. The seasonal neighborhood of Après Ski, dedicated to the latest in winter fashion, showcased a sophisticated fusion of function and style, with shearling textures, fur-lined embellishments and stylishly layered silhouettes that blend comfort, utility and elevated aesthetics. Brands such as MOU, Brodie Cashmere, Marella, 74 The Jacket, HiSO and Lou Andrea Paris, embodied the modern evolution of cold weather dressing. The collections complimented MMGNET's FW25/26 Women's Advanced Contemporary Buyer's Guide, highlighting key textile innovations, introspective layering techniques and color palettes inspired by various creative mediums. 'As COTERIE grows, our focus remains on creating a premier global platform where brands and retailers can connect, collaborate and drive the industry forward,' says Purvi Kanji, Vice President of COTERIE. 'With expanded global reach, deepened retailer relationships and curated experiences, we are thrilled to see COTERIE cementing itself as the go-to destination for discovering what's next in advanced contemporary fashion.' To further enhance the connections between brands and buyers, COTERIE successfully launched the Brand Curation Hub, a dedicated space that facilitated direct engagement through personalized matchmaking programs. The addition to show floor experience allowed retailers to build stronger and more strategic relationships with brands, ensuring the discovery of apparel selections that aligned with the market trends. COTERIE showcased another season of the MMGNET Fashion for Change (MFC), which continues to elevate designers of color and Black-owned brands, providing visibility and business development opportunities. The event also featured a robust lineup of education sessions, including 'From Culture to the Selling Floor,' an in-depth exploration of fabric and textile trends, and 'In Conversation: The Future of Fashion with FIT,' where FIT museum curators and students designers, whose works featured in The Future of Fashion Exhibit, discussed the story behind their designs inspired by African Diaspora's influence on contemporary fashion. Additionally, 'Unveiling Fashion's Next Chapter: 2025 Consumer Analysis' provided insights into shopper behaviors and knowledge of the shifting retail landscape. With a growing international footprint and the success of new experiential activations, COTERIE New York continues to be the global epicenter for trend forecasting and merchandising. Additional brands showcasing apparel, denim, footwear and accessories included Perfect White Tee, Oncept, Tkees, AG Jeans, Varley, Deepa Gurnani, Good American and TBCo. Looking ahead, the event remains committed to developing new experiences, increasing collaborations and providing an inclusive curated experience for brands and buyers alike. To learn more about COTERIE New York and upcoming events for the 2025 season, please visit About COTERIE New York COTERIE is the premier women's contemporary to advanced contemporary apparel, footwear, and accessories platform. Connecting emerging and established brands and designers to an elite list of domestic and international retailers, influencers, and media, COTERIE's first-class events build exclusive experiences that fuel discovery, commerce, and connectivity, while inspiring upmarket trends. For more information, please visit: About Informa Markets Fashion Informa Markets Fashion, branded as MMGNET Group, is fashion's newest B2B ecosystem and the go-to industry resource, where industry professionals go to source the inspiration, connections, and opportunities they need to build business, network, and responsibly steward fashion forward. Through its extensive global reach, decades of unwavering industry expertise, world-class content programs, and a comprehensive portfolio of trade and industry event brands - including MAGIC, PROJECT, COTERIE, and SOURCING at MAGIC - MMGNET Group delivers year-round opportunities to learn, grow, connect, and discover. MMGNET Group is a subsidiary of Informa Markets (LON:INF). To learn more about MMGNET and the MMGNET Group portfolio of brands, please visit
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
COTERIE New York Hosted Brands from Across the Globe with Record High International Presence and Expanded Retail Engagement
NEW YORK, NY / / March 12, 2025 / COTERIE New York, the biannual contemporary and advanced contemporary women's wholesale fashion event, welcomed the Fall Winter 25/26 season with a record-high global reach, as 45% of international brands represented from over the world. The growing international presence drew in buyers seeking fresh, globally influenced collections, top retailers including Le Bon Marche, Moniker, Al Tayer Dubai, Lisa Says Gah!, Vail Resorts, Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, Four Season Orlando and Pitkin Country Dry Goods. With increasing global reach, COTERIE New York expanded the international pavilions with Italy, Korea and Africa, alongside the new addition of Peru in partnership with PROMPERÚ. The launch of Creative Africa Nexus (Canex) program featured ten African brands, igniting conversations around new market opportunities and highlighting the innovative design talents. These curated spaces not only brought new perspectives to the forefront but also helped buyers source unique, globally inspired collections that reflect the evolving consumer demands. The seasonal neighborhood of Après Ski, dedicated to the latest in winter fashion, showcased a sophisticated fusion of function and style, with shearling textures, fur-lined embellishments and stylishly layered silhouettes that blend comfort, utility and elevated aesthetics. Brands such as MOU, Brodie Cashmere, Marella, 74 The Jacket, HiSO and Lou Andrea Paris, embodied the modern evolution of cold weather dressing. The collections complimented MMGNET's FW25/26 Women's Advanced Contemporary Buyer's Guide, highlighting key textile innovations, introspective layering techniques and color palettes inspired by various creative mediums. "As COTERIE grows, our focus remains on creating a premier global platform where brands and retailers can connect, collaborate and drive the industry forward," says Purvi Kanji, Vice President of COTERIE. "With expanded global reach, deepened retailer relationships and curated experiences, we are thrilled to see COTERIE cementing itself as the go-to destination for discovering what's next in advanced contemporary fashion." To further enhance the connections between brands and buyers, COTERIE successfully launched the Brand Curation Hub, a dedicated space that facilitated direct engagement through personalized matchmaking programs. The addition to show floor experience allowed retailers to build stronger and more strategic relationships with brands, ensuring the discovery of apparel selections that aligned with the market trends. COTERIE showcased another season of the MMGNET Fashion for Change (MFC), which continues to elevate designers of color and Black-owned brands, providing visibility and business development opportunities. The event also featured a robust lineup of education sessions, including "From Culture to the Selling Floor," an in-depth exploration of fabric and textile trends, and "In Conversation: The Future of Fashion with FIT," where FIT museum curators and students designers, whose works featured in The Future of Fashion Exhibit, discussed the story behind their designs inspired by African Diaspora's influence on contemporary fashion. Additionally, "Unveiling Fashion's Next Chapter: 2025 Consumer Analysis" provided insights into shopper behaviors and knowledge of the shifting retail landscape. With a growing international footprint and the success of new experiential activations, COTERIE New York continues to be the global epicenter for trend forecasting and merchandising. Additional brands showcasing apparel, denim, footwear and accessories included Perfect White Tee, Oncept, Tkees, AG Jeans, Varley, Deepa Gurnani, Good American and TBCo. Looking ahead, the event remains committed to developing new experiences, increasing collaborations and providing an inclusive curated experience for brands and buyers alike. To learn more about COTERIE New York and upcoming events for the 2025 season, please visit For the most up to date news and trends follow COTERIE New York on social @coterie_show. About COTERIE New YorkCOTERIE is the premier women's contemporary to advanced contemporary apparel, footwear, and accessories platform. Connecting emerging and established brands and designers to an elite list of domestic and international retailers, influencers, and media, COTERIE's first-class events build exclusive experiences that fuel discovery, commerce, and connectivity, while inspiring upmarket trends. For more information, please visit: About Informa Markets FashionInforma Markets Fashion, branded as MMGNET Group, is fashion's newest B2B ecosystem and the go-to industry resource, where industry professionals go to source the inspiration, connections, and opportunities they need to build business, network, and responsibly steward fashion forward. Through its extensive global reach, decades of unwavering industry expertise, world-class content programs, and a comprehensive portfolio of trade and industry event brands - including MAGIC, PROJECT, COTERIE, and SOURCING at MAGIC - MMGNET Group delivers year-round opportunities to learn, grow, connect, and discover. MMGNET Group is a subsidiary of Informa Markets (LON:INF). To learn more about MMGNET and the MMGNET Group portfolio of brands, please visit Media Contact Informa Markets North America PRFashionPR@ SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - FASHION View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
