The Africa Creative Market (ACM) has unveiled plans for its 2026 edition, announcing a major five-city global activation as the platform celebrates five years of shaping Africa’s creative economy. The milestone event will be anchored by a six-day flagship gathering in Lusaka, Zambia, supported by satellite activations across Cannes, Lagos, Johannesburg and Kigali.

Organisers say the move reflects ACM’s growing international influence and its mission to position African creatives within the global marketplace. The decision to host the main event in Zambia follows a strong showing by Zambian delegates at previous editions held in Nigeria, leading to a formal partnership with the country’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts and other local stakeholders.

Lusaka to host flagship creative economy gathering

The Lusaka edition will run alongside Zambia’s Creative Industry Business Summit and the Kwimbo National Arts Festival, combining film, music, fashion, gaming, animation and digital media into one large industry platform. Officials say the goal is to attract investors, policymakers, studios and creators from across Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary at Zambia’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts, described the hosting opportunity as a major step toward building jobs and strengthening the country’s creative sector. According to him, Zambia aims to position itself as a destination for film production, cultural tourism and innovation.

Founder of Africa Creative Market, Inya Lawal, noted that the 2026 edition represents a moment of growth and collaboration across borders. She said the expansion from Cannes to Lusaka and across key African cities highlights a united creative movement that continues to gain global visibility.

What to expect from ACM 2026

The event will spotlight several sectors including film, animation, games, fashion, music, dance, digital media and immersive technologies such as AR, VR and XR. Planned activities include expert-led masterclasses, investment hubs, exhibitions, networking sessions and curated receptions aimed at connecting African talent with international partners.

A major focus of the Lusaka flagship will be creative tourism and film destination positioning. Organisers intend to showcase Zambia’s landscapes, culture and production infrastructure to global studios looking for new filming locations.

Abel Silungwe, ACM’s Zambian partner, described the upcoming edition as transformational for the country’s creative ecosystem, adding that it will create new opportunities for local storytellers while opening doors to international collaborations.

As preparations begin, registration has opened for participants interested in attending the 2026 edition. With its five-city format, Africa Creative Market is positioning itself as one of the continent’s most ambitious platforms for connecting creatives, investors and industry leaders under a single global vision.