More than 2,000 participants from Rwanda, across Africa and beyond are expected to converge in Kigali for the 2026 Africa Creative Economy and Investment Forum (ACEIF), an annual gathering that seeks to drive conversations and partnerships on how Africa’s creative industries can become a stronger engine of economic growth and investment, according to the organisers. The forum will focus on exploring opportunities to strengthen Africa’s creative economy, attract investment, foster partnerships and build sustainable industries capable of driving the African economy of tomorrow. Organised by Africa in Colors, the forum will take place from August 23 to 30, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, innovators, artists, students, influencers and media professionals from across the continent and beyond. The event is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the future of Africa’s creative economy while creating opportunities for networking, business partnerships, investment, talent development and market access. Founded by Raoul Rugamba and headquartered in Kigali, Africa in Colors is a Pan-African initiative focused on strengthening the culture and creative industry ecosystem through education, collaboration, infrastructure development, technology and access to finance. The organisation has built a network spanning about 40 countries, mainly in Africa, Europe, the United States and Canada. The initiative was conceived in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Rugamba began exploring ways of rethinking the future of Africa’s creative ecosystem and addressing some of the structural challenges facing the sector. Speaking to The New Times on Tuesday, August 18, Rugamba, the founder of Africa in Colors and director of ACEIF, said the forum was created to bring together actors across the creative industries to find ways of working collectively to strengthen partnerships and build a sustainable and innovative creative economy on the continent. “We can only achieve a true culture and creative industry ecosystem if we come together, if we build together. The ACEIF platform embodies that, and our philosophy at Africa in Colors is centered around building together for the greater good of the African creative industry ecosystem,” he said. Rugamba said he expects the forum to result in stronger partnerships and initiatives that can contribute to the growth of the continent’s creative industries. “[I look forward to] seeing more collaborations, seeing more public-private partnerships, seeing one or multiple projects happening and executed, seeing policies change, seeing talents placed, and seeing investment flowing more,” he said. A focus on creative cities This year’s edition will focus on cities and the role of arts, culture and creativity in shaping the cities of the future. The theme is expected to generate discussions on how African cities can become more attractive places to live, work, create and invest by putting creativity at the centre of urban development. Africa in Colors stated the focus on cities will continue over the next five years, with the objective of encouraging public and private-sector partnerships around the development of creative cities. The organisers believe that cities can use culture and creativity not only to strengthen their identities but also to create jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investment and contribute to economic growth. The conversations will also examine how cities can provide environments where artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and creative businesses can develop and access new markets. From dialogue to deals and investment A major expectation for ACEIF 2026 is to move beyond discussions and create tangible opportunities for creatives and businesses. The programme will include deal rooms, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, high-level engagements and policy discussions, providing opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and creative professionals to explore potential partnerships. For Africa’s creative sector, access to finance remains one of the key challenges limiting the growth of businesses and creative ventures. The forum is therefore expected to strengthen connections between creative entrepreneurs and investors while highlighting the economic potential of sectors such as music, film, fashion, digital content, design and other creative industries. The organisers also expect the event to facilitate mobility, access to information and entry into new markets. A week of activities The forum will combine professional engagements with creative and cultural activities, including empowerment programmes, master classes, creation labs and studios, talent detection, content production, side events, high-level meetings, policy conversations and strategic engagements. It will also feature panels, entertainment, networking sessions and deal rooms, alongside exhibitions, tours and B2B meetings designed to connect creatives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other players in the creative economy. The event will also involve the production of documentaries and series aimed at global audiences, alongside the promotion of African fashion, music, film, content and talent. While the main activities will take place in Kigali, the organisers said the forum will also engage thousands of people virtually through digital platforms. Bringing government and investors into the conversation Africa in Colors is also seeking to strengthen dialogue between the creative sector, governments, financial institutions and investors. Rugamba’s initiative argues that culture and creative industries should be treated as important components of Africa’s socioeconomic development rather than as sectors operating on the margins of the economy. The forum will consequently seek to demonstrate how investment in creative industries can contribute to employment, innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of new sources of revenue. The organisers are calling on public and private-sector institutions to join efforts aimed at developing cities and economies where creativity can thrive. Six years of building connections The 2026 forum comes as Africa in Colors marks six years of building a network around African creativity and innovation. Since its establishment, the initiative has sought to bring together stakeholders from different parts of the world around a shared vision for a stronger and more sustainable African creative ecosystem.
