Afreximbank and Nigerian partners sign $118 million of financing for the creative economy

Financing agreements worth $118 million were signed at the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos: a $75 million facility between Afreximbank and the Development Bank of Nigeria, and a $30 million financing arrangement and a $13 million grant involving NEXIM, SMEDAN and Afreximbank. Afreximbank has expanded its creative-sector commitment from an initial $500 million to $2 billion for 2024 to 2027, and its executive vice president Kanayo Awani said the event could generate up to $1 billion in deals.

Why it matters

It turns film, music, fashion and design into a bankable sector, with money aimed at Nigerian creative businesses rather than one-off events.

Sources: BusinessDay, BusinessDay · 6 November 2026

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