A Platform Not Simply A Festival
Building platforms and pathways for Africa's creative economy
Six interconnected platforms spanning talent, music, live events, media, fashion, and festivals together forming Africa’s most integrated creative economy infrastructure.
The African Narrative
Media, storytelling & cultural content
#MFR Pan African Music Fashion Runway
Music, fashion & creative culture
Connecting Africa with Global Markets
The Artistic Pulse Festival & Trade Fair (APF) 2026 is a multidisciplinary platform connecting trade, investment, business, culture, creativity, tourism, innovation and international partnerships.
Following the inaugural edition in 2025, the 2026 edition expands the platform’s commercial, international and market-access dimensions, creating opportunities for businesses, creative enterprises, investors, institutions and international stakeholders to connect, engage and develop meaningful relationships.
APF is designed to facilitate: Trade and investment dialogue, Business-to-business connections, Market access conversations, International partnerships, Investment and commercial opportunities, Cultural exchange, Creative economy development, Tourism and destination promotion, Institutional and stakeholder engagement
APF is not simply a festival. It is a platform where creativity, enterprise, trade, investment and international engagement converge.
What APF Does
Connect
Businesses, institutions, investors, creative enterprises and international stakeholders.
SHOWCASE
Nigerian enterprise, creativity, culture, products, services and innovation.
FACILITATE
Trade, investment, business and market-access conversations.
CREATE
Opportunities for partnerships, commercial relationships and international engagement.
PROMOTE
Lagos and Nigeria as destinations for business, investment, culture, creativity and tourism.
APF 2025 — The Foundation
The inaugural APF established a multidisciplinary platform spanning: Trade & Enterprise | Creative Industries | Fashion & Design | Food & Culinary Enterprise | Beauty & Personal Care | Wellness & Lifestyle | Sports | Textiles & African Fabrics | Art | Film & Screen | Music & Entertainment | Technology & Innovation | Cultural Heritage
The 2025 edition featured a Trade Fair, Art Gallery, creative workshops, performances, film and screen programming, fashion and runway presentations, music and international cultural participation.
The inaugural edition demonstrated the ability of APF to bring together business, creative, cultural and international audiences within one integrated platform. APF 2026 builds directly on this foundation, expanding the commercial, international and market-access dimensions of the platform. Key programme elements included:
Trade fair
A multi-sector trade fair bringing together businesses, exhibitors and buyers across core sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Fashion & Runway
A multi-sector trade fair bringing together businesses, exhibitors and buyers across core sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Film & Screen
A film and screen programme showcasing Nigerian and African cinema, connecting the screen industry with investors and distributors.