2025 Création Africa Forum: African cultural and creative industries are meeting in Lagos (16-19 October 2025)

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From 16 to 18 October 2025, the city of Lagos, Nigeria, is hosting the 2nd Création Africa Forum, an event dedicated to the development of cultural and creative industries in Africa. Organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in liaison with the Maison des Mondes Africains (MansA), the Institut Français and with support from the Team France Fund for Creation (FEF-Création), this Forum builds on momentum to renew the Africa-France partnership.

A forum at the heart of the renewal of the Africa-France partnership

Launched in Paris in 2023, Création Africa arose from the strong belief that the vitality of African cultural and creative industries is a major driver of economic development, social transformation and dialogue among cultures. This 2nd Forum marks the entry into a decisive stage. After Paris, Lagos is becoming a place to be for creative dialogue between France, Africa and the world.

The event is part of a series of actions making up the renewed partnership between France and Africa, along with the opening of MansA in Paris in 2025 and ahead of the “Africa Forward” Africa-France Summit to be held in Nairobi in May 2026.

Read the Minister’s remarks at the opening of the Maison des Mondes Africains

Three days to foster dialogue centred on creativity and innovation

For three days, more than 1,000 participants – creatives, entrepreneurs, investors, public and private stakeholders, schools and media outlets – will meet in Lagos. The programme includes round tables, masterclasses, business meetings and concerts featuring talents and projects that are shaping the new African scenes.

The main themes include:

  • The finance and organization of African cultural and creative industries;
  • Immersive technologies (extended reality, animated film, video games);
  • Sustainable design and fashion;
  • Music and new audiovisual formats;
  • The role of diasporas and women in the cultural transformation of the continent.

France working with African creatives

Via MansA, France helps to circulate works and ideas, encourages pluralistic narratives and supports creatives who are shaping contemporary imaginary worlds. Since MansA opened its doors in Paris in 2025, it has been a cultural hub for African diasporas and a bridge between Europe and Africa.

The Création Africa Forum is building on this momentum. It reflects the shared desire to build a balanced cultural and economic partnership, based on creation, young people and mutual exchanges.

A concrete partnership and cultural diplomacy on the move

The Création Africa Forum illustrates France’s commitment to Africa’s young people and its creative ecosystems, by supporting the education, production and circulation of talents on the international stage. It is a key instrument of France’s soft diplomacy, based on the consideration, co-construction and promotion of initiatives from Africa.

This Forum is also a driver of economic and cultural cooperation between businesses, schools, institutions and artists. The Team France Fund for Creation (FEF-Création), launched in 2023, is already financing joint projects in more than 15 African countries, and several agreements are set to be signed at the Forum.