By Peace Udugba
Entertainment Week Africa 2026, EWA 2026, Lagos entertainment event, African music industry, Livespot360, Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade, creative economy
Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) will return to Lagos from November 17 to 22, 2026, marking its fifth anniversary with an expanded programme aimed at strengthening Africa’s music ecosystem and accelerating the continent’s creative economy.
The milestone edition, themed “Five Years of Closing the Gap,” will focus on connecting artists, producers, songwriters, publishers, record labels, distributors and investors through practical business opportunities designed to drive growth and expand international market access.
Organisers said this year’s event will move beyond industry conversations to become a marketplace where music professionals can secure funding, forge strategic partnerships, access distribution channels and build cross-border collaborations.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract delegates from more than 18 African countries, providing a pan-African platform where creative talent meets investment, innovation and enterprise.
According to the organisers, Entertainment Week Africa has grown into one of the continent’s leading creative economy platforms over the past five years, attracting more than 67,800 attendees across its first four editions.
The 2025 edition recorded 28,683 pass holders, featured 20 music showcases, and generated over 800 million digital impressions, underscoring the growing global appeal of African music and the increasing demand for platforms that connect creators with commercial opportunities.
To further support the industry, the 2026 event will feature initiatives such as the EWA Music Market, Deal Room, Capital Desk and Creative Connect, offering artists and music entrepreneurs direct access to record labels, publishers, distributors, investors, brands and international platforms.
Speaking on the anniversary edition, Convener of Entertainment Week Africa and Group Chief Executive Officer of Livespot360, Deola Art Alade, said the platform remains committed to transforming African creativity into long-term economic value.
As we celebrate five years of Entertainment Week Africa, our vision remains clear—to create stronger systems that help African creativity become long-term economic value. Music has become one of Africa’s most influential global exports, and EWA exists to ensure the talent behind that success has greater access to capital, partnerships, knowledge and international markets,” she said.
Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Livespot360, Darey Art Alade, said the future of African music goes beyond producing hit songs.
“The future of African music extends beyond hit records. It is about building sustainable careers, strengthening the business behind the art and creating opportunities for creators to collaborate across borders. EWA continues to serve as the meeting point where creativity connects with enterprise and global opportunity,” he said.
Registration and speaker submissions for Entertainment Week Africa 2026 are now open. More information and event registration are available at Entertainment Week Africa.
