Events

Africa Soft Power Summit 2026 Explores Culture, Capital and Growth

Published

4 months ago

May 18, 2026

Africa Soft Power Summit 2026 opens in Nairobi, bringing leaders together to explore finance, creativity, and Africa’s economic transformation

The Africa Soft Power Summit 2026 will hold from May 20 to 23 in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together investors, policymakers, creators, and technologists to explore the future of Africa’s economic and cultural growth.

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The summit is built around a central theme that examines how finance, creativity, and human capital can work together to drive sustainable development across the continent.

Organisers say the event addresses a growing gap between Africa’s rising cultural influence and its ability to retain and scale the value generated by its creative industries.

From Afrobeats to Nollywood, African fashion to fintech innovation, the summit highlights how African creativity is gaining global recognition but still faces structural challenges around ownership and capital retention.

The programme is structured across two days of focused discussions.

The first day will centre on leadership, inclusion, and market power, with conversations on women’s leadership as economic infrastructure and the role of female-driven economies in shaping growth.

The second day will focus on creativity, innovation, and capital, examining topics such as AI, diaspora investment, data ownership, and Africa’s evolving investment landscape.

Speakers include senior figures from global institutions, African businesses, creative industries, and technology companies, reflecting the summit’s cross-sector approach.

Beyond panel discussions, the event will feature networking sessions, cultural showcases, and curated experiences designed to connect business with culture in practical ways.

Evening programmes will include private gatherings, fashion-focused events, and a gala in Nairobi, underscoring the summit’s emphasis on culture as an economic force.

Also read: From Abuja to the World: The Insecurity Triad and Rise of the Independent African Scholar

Since its inception in 2020, the Africa Soft Power Summit has grown into a major platform for dialogue on Africa’s role in the global economy, bringing together voices from across public and private sectors.

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Rechael Okonkwo’s Carnival Brings Free Healthcare to 5,000 Residents

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”