By Michael Dibie
It was the maiden edition of ACFTA Fest 2026 a landmark three-day Pan-African celebration designed to bring the continent’s vibrant cultures, bold innovators, and sporting legends together under one roof in Abuja, Nigeria.
The three-day event featured 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.
An In-depth masterclass led by industry leaders, covering key topics such as digital trade, securing funding and scaling into new markets. And a dynamic live and real-live presentation offering investors and audiences an exciting up-close look at Africa’s most promising startups competing fiercely, dreaming big and innovating fearlessly.
Project lead, ACFTA FEST 2026, Mandi Anyangwe said the forum is to empower 1.5 million youths in entrepreneurship, arts and sports.
“We have identified that there are a lot of youths and students with brilliant innovative ideas but there is no structural framework to bring them to life, So ACFTA FEST will be listening to these students, for example, we have a pitch competition at Abuja university to show them an example of what we can do. So students can bring projects they have been working on and we can talk to them and teach them how they can commercialize aspects of it” She added.
ACFTA FEST is a rotational Pan-African platform, each year, one African country becomes the epicenter of trade, talent and transformation hosting the continent and the world in a three-day celebration of African excellence. The platform is Africa’s first true cross-sector Pan-African festival blending business, innovation, culture and sport into one unforgettable experience.
“If you look at the length of Africa where 90 percent of our economy is driven by micro, small medium enterprises especially large conglomerate, it is an opportunity to provide the infrastructures, the tool for them to grow, to drive the economic value, “said Dr Mechie Nkengla, AI and Data Executive.
“When you have a unified system, it means that everybody is coming together to pursue a common goal which is to develop Africa through trade, sport, culture and a lot of innovations,” said Dr Ifeoma Ezike, Assistant Director, Money policy, Central Bank of Nigeria.
Also speaking on the need for unity, Global speaker and trainer from the US, Frankie Powell said if Africat is going to innovate, something would bring the whole continent together and then bring transformation to the continent.
“Anytime you are going to build a team, every person in the team has to be important, have a contribution and the only way that can happen is if we value team and truly understand that we are not going to come up with all the creativity and innovations on our own even as an individual country, we are going to need other countries,” Powell added.
ACFTA FEST is a platform where African startups, creatives, athletes and leaders come together to celebrate Africa, build connections and create the economic future we all deserve.
