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CreatiKenya Summit & Expo 2026: Why Every Zambian Creative Should Be in Nairobi This April



By iCeMorgan


Hello, my fellow Zambian creatives! If you've been feeling like the Zambian creative industry is ready to burst onto the international stage, you are not wrong. But sometimes, we need to step next door to see how it's done—and more importantly, to plug into the right networks.


Enter CreatiKenya Summit & Expo 2026.


Taking place in Nairobi from the 28th to the 30th of April 2026, this isn't just another local meetup. This is Kenya's bold statement to put its creative economy on the global stage. And guess what? That stage has seats for us too.


If you are a filmmaker, musician, fashion designer, visual artist, or digital content creator, here is everything you need to know.


The Basics: Date, Place & Vibe

  • Event: CreatiKenya Summit & Expo 2026

  • Theme: Kenya's Creative Future (Global Exposure, Investment Opportunities, Market Access)

  • Dates: 28th – 30th April 2026

  • Venue: KICC Grounds, Nairobi (Kenyatta International Convention Centre)

  • The Goal: Uniting Creatives, Industry Leaders & Investors


The Four Pillars (Which one are you?)

The event is broken down into four key sectors. As Zambians, we fit right in:


  1. Film & Media: For our actors, scriptwriters, videographers, and film producers looking to crack the East African market.

  2. Fashion: Zambian fashion designers—this is your chance to see if your chitenge creations and contemporary wear can compete on the Kenyan runway.

  3. Music & Arts: Musicians (from Hip Hop to Kalindula), poets, and visual artists.

  4. Digital Tech: For the graphic designers, animators, game developers, and techies powering the new wave of content.


Why You Should Pay Attention (The Highlights)

According to the poster, the summit is packed with value:


  • Keynote Speakers: Expect heavyweights from the African creative scene sharing how they built empires.

  • Panel Discussions: Learn about copyright, distribution, and financing.

  • Networking: This is the biggest reason to go. Meet the investors and collaborators who can take your career beyond Lusaka, Kitwe, or Livingstone.


The Expo Floor (Business Time)

If you have a product—merchandise, albums, films, or fashion pieces—the Expo is for you.

  • Exhibition Booths: Sell your brand.

  • Live Performances: Show Nairobi what Zambian talent can do.

  • Product Showcases: Pitch your project to an audience that includes buyers and investors.


The "Golden Triangle" for Zambians

The theme focuses on three things we desperately need back home:


Global Exposure: Get your work seen by international journalists and curators.


Investment Opportunities: Find the people with the money to fund your next film or album.


Market Access: Learn how to distribute your music on Kenyan radio or your fashion in Nairobi malls.


Let's Go Together: Organized Travel for Zambian Creatives

Now, here is the most important part for us as Zambians.


Traveling to Nairobi alone can be expensive and intimidating. You might not know where to stay, who to talk to, or how to navigate the event. That is why we need to move as one strong unit.


The National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) is putting together a consolidated group of Zambian creatives to attend and exhibit at CreatiKenya 2026.


Imagine this: a dedicated Zambian pavilion at the expo. Our films playing. Our fashion on display. Our music in the air. All under one banner. That is the power of traveling together.


If you are serious about taking your creative brand to Kenya, do not go alone. Join the team.


Get in touch with NAMA right now:


Phone: 0978 9299 19 You can also call the Secretary General (SG) directly to express your interest. The goal is to create a consolidated plan—a dedicated team of Zambian exhibitors ready to conquer Nairobi.


But please, do not wait. Spaces for travel and exhibition booths will fill up fast. The event is just weeks away (April 28-30), so the time to act is now.


A Final Word to My Zambian Family

I know times are tough, and traveling is not cheap. But if you have a serious creative business—not just a hobby—consider this an investment.

Nairobi is currently a hub for international streaming deals (Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime) and major fashion weeks. By attending CreatiKenya as a group, we aren't "abandoning" Zambia. We are bringing back knowledge, contracts, and connections to help grow our Ngoma-winning talent right here at home.


Let's show Kenya what Zambian creativity looks like.


Pack your bags. Call NAMA. Let's go.

 
 
 

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