ACFTA FEST Africa Connected Through Trade, Talent & Culture
ONE AFRICA, ONE MARKET, ONE FUTURE
About Us
What Is ACFTA FEST? ACFTA Fest is Africa’s first cross-sector Pan-African festival.
ACFTA Fest is an African Festival designed to unite the continent through trade, talent, and culture. Rotating each year between African nations, it is the platform where African startups, creatives, athletes, and leaders come together to celebrate Africa, build connections, and create the economic future we all deserve.
ACFTA Fest is Africa’s first true cross-sector Pan-African Festival, blending business, innovation, culture, and sports into one unforgettable experience.
Linked to AfCFTA implementation | Aligned with Agenda 2063 and SDGs | Focused on youth empowerment, trade visibility, and pan-African unity
What Makes ACFTA Fest Unique?
- Platforms for African startups: Live pitch competitions, exhibitions, investor matchmaking, and masterclasses that power the next generation of entrepreneurs.
- African Heritage & Culture: Concerts, fashion shows, storytelling nights, and art pavilions celebrating Africa’s identity.
- Sports Diplomacy: Football legends, youth clinics, policy talks, and the iconic Tinubu Cup.
- Trade & Connection: Networking lounges, regional showcases, and deal-making opportunities at the ultimate African trade festival.
Our Rotational Model
A Festival that Moves Africa
ACFTA Fest has a rotational model, and every year it travels to a new African country. Each host leaves behind infrastructure, networks, and youth-driven impact.
Festival Host Details
Year: 2026
Host Nation: Nigeria (Maiden Edition)
Theme: Unity Through Innovation
Want to Host a Future Edition?
What We Project
Our Core Pillars
Unity, innovation, and inclusion drive our decisions. We prioritise excellence, building a legacy that outlives short-term impact.
ACFTA Fest 2026 Maiden Edition, Abuja Nigeria
Why Nigeria?
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and creative powerhouse, will proudly host the maiden edition of ACFTA Fest. With a booming tech ecosystem, global football legends, and a rich cultural heritage, Nigeria sets the perfect stage for the biggest African Festival.
Nigeria 2026 Program Snapshot
Investor Lounges and Regional Trade Showcases
Connect in exclusive investor lounges designed for deal-making, networking, and strategic partnerships. Explore regional trade showcases highlighting the best products, services, and innovations from across Africa’s diverse markets driving cross-border collaboration and investment.
300+ Startup Exhibitors
Experience over 50 electrifying, high-energy pitch sessions where passionate, visionary entrepreneurs boldly unveil their game-changing ideas. These dynamic presentations happen live and in real-time, offering investors and audiences an exciting, up-close look at Africa’s most promising startups competing fiercely, dreaming big, and innovating fearlessly.
50+ Live Pitch Sessions
Gain expert insights through in-depth masterclasses led by industry leaders, covering key topics like digital trade, securing funding, and scaling into new markets. Designed for entrepreneurs and professionals, these sessions equip participants with practical tools and strategies to thrive in Africa’s evolving business landscape.
Masterclasses on Leadership, Digital Trade, Funding, and Market Expansion
A high-level dialogue bringing together African entrepreneurs, policymakers, and ACFTA stakeholders to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for scaling startups within the continental free trade framework fostering alignment, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Nigeria-Focused Startup Roundtable with ACFTA Stakeholders
Experience the power of words as poets and storytellers from across Africa take the stage to share voices of resilience, identity, and unity blending rhythm, language, and lived experience in unforgettable performances that celebrate the soul of the continent.
3-Night Headline Concert Series
Experience electrifying performances from top artists across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Congo, and Kenya in a powerful celebration of African rhythm, unity, and talent three unforgettable nights of music that echo the soul of the continent.
Visual Art Installations and NFT Gallery
Immerse yourself in a vibrant fusion of tradition and technology with captivating visual art installations and a curated NFT gallery showcasing Africa’s creative brilliance, cultural stories, and digital innovation through the eyes of emerging and established artists.
Lagos Fashion Runway with 20+ Designers
Witness the bold spirit of African style as over 20 visionary designers light up the ACFTA Fest Abuja Fashion Runway blending heritage, innovation, and trendsetting flair in a stunning showcase of the continent’s fashion excellence.
Poetry Performances and Pan-African Storytelling Slams
Experience the power of words as poets and storytellers from across Africa take the stage to share voices of resilience, identity, and unity blending rhythm, language, and lived experience in unforgettable performances that celebrate the soul of the continent.
The Tinubu Cup: African Legends vs. Nigerian All-Star Legends
A historic showdown on the pitch as African football legends face off against Nigerian All-Star greats in a thrilling exhibition match celebrating sportsmanship, unity, and the enduring legacy of Africa’s football icons.
Youth Training Clinics for Professional Football Aspirants
Empowering the next generation through hands-on training clinics, where 120-plus Nigerian boys and girls will receive mentorship, skills development, and inspiration from seasoned professionals nurturing talent and building confidence on and off the field.
Legends Choice Awards
The African Legends Choice Awards is ACFTA Fest’s way of returning glory, honor, and a lasting platform to the former legends who sacrificed so much to entertain Africa and the world. Through this initiative, our football icons are given the opportunity to have a say, cast their votes, and cheer on the new generation of stars impressing the world with their talent. The awards feature two strands: Performance Awards—including categories such as Eto’o’s Boot (Top Goal Scorer), Ruffai’s Glove (Outstanding Goalkeeper), Jay-Jay’s Touch (Best Playmaker), Drogba’s Ball (Forward of the Year), and Sheatah’s Playbook (Tactical Leader)—and the Legends Recognition Awards, which pay timeless tribute to those whose influence has shaped African football’s story. Together, they unite past and present, building a bridge of pride, encouragement, and celebration across generations.
Policy Forum: “Financing African Football: From Grassroots to Continental League”
A strategic dialogue bringing together policymakers, investors, club owners, and sports stakeholders to explore sustainable financing models for African football examining pathways from grassroots development to the creation of a thriving, competitive continental league.
Buy ACFTA Fest 2026 Tickets
The ACFTA Fest Promise
ACFTA Fest is more than an African Festival; it’s a movement. It transforms policy into people-driven action, building connections that drive trade, empower youth, and showcase Africa’s limitless talent.
Get Festival Tickets
Buy Tickets Here
If you believe in Africa’s future, you belong at ACFTA Fest, the ultimate platform for African creatives, sports men and women, seasoned entrepreneurs and startups to network collaborate and celebrate the most vibrant African trade festival on the continent.
Join us in Nigeria for ACFTA Fest 2026 to celebrate, connect, and build Africa’s future together.
Impact Metrics
Why ACFTA FEST?
Thanks to the already existing strong stakeholder engagement, and involvement in the conception, development and promotion of her maiden edition, ACFTA Fest Abuja, Nigeria 2026 edition promises to gurantee;
Startups & Creatives Showcased
Countries Represented
Attendees per Edition
Business & Policy Partnerships
Awards Given to African Changemakers
Broadcast & Social Media Reach
Impact Metrics
Why ACFTA FEST?
Thanks to the already existing strong stakeholder engagement, and involvement in the conception, development and promotion of her maiden edition, ACFTA Fest Abuja, Nigeria 2026 edition promises to gurantee;
Startups & Creatives Showcased
Countries Represented
Attendees per Edition
Business & Policy Partnerships
Awards Given to African Changemakers
Broadcast & Social Media Reach
News & Updates
Stay updated with the latest in the industry
Pan-African Festivals: Importance and the Value They Bring to the Continent
Trade, Talent, and Culture: The Power Trio Shaping Africa’s Future
Africa Connected Through Trade, Talent & Culture
ONE AFRICA, ONE MARKET, ONE FUTURE
