The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has partnered with Ethiopian technology company Gebeya to launch CANEX Create-thon 2026, a pan-African competition aimed at helping creators transform innovative ideas into commercially viable music, video and gaming products using artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Launched through Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the initiative will award a total of US$50,000 in prizes while providing participants with access to digital tools, computing resources and technical support designed to help creators build scalable creative businesses rather than simply showcase talent.
As part of the partnership, Gebeya will provide its Dala Studio platform, AI-powered production tools and technical mentorship during a four-day development sprint scheduled for August 20–24, 2026. Participants will be expected to produce working prototypes or completed creative projects across music, video and gaming.
The competition is open to amateur, emerging and established creators from across Africa, regardless of whether they are affiliated with production companies or professional studios. Winners will be selected through a combination of AI-assisted screening, public voting and evaluation by a panel of industry experts.
According to Afreximbank, the initiative seeks to strengthen Africa’s creative economy by giving creators greater access to technology, digital infrastructure and commercial opportunities that enable them to generate long-term value from their work.
First-place winners in each category will receive US$7,000, while second- and third-place winners will receive US$3,500 and US$1,500 respectively. Selected finalists will also receive US$500 awards, with category winners earning the opportunity to showcase their work at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The initiative reflects a growing effort by African financial institutions and technology companies to build stronger digital infrastructure and commercial ecosystems capable of supporting the continent’s expanding creative industries.
