CRAFT Addis

Designer Voices panel is now released.

African fashion isn’t just about what we wear. It’s about identity, culture, craft, and the business of creating and capturing value.

At CRAFT Addis 2026, Mahlet Afework, Namnyak Odupoy, and Awa Meite came together for a powerful conversation on building African fashion on its own terms from redefining luxury and elevating indigenous craftsmanship to creating opportunities for artisans, protecting cultural identity, building sustainable brands, and rethinking sustainability.

A conversation about designers as cultural architects, entrepreneurs and business builders, and the role they play in shaping how Africa is seen, valued, represented and positioned in the global fashion economy.

Go watch the full “Designer Voices” panel on the CRAFT Addis YouTube channel and dive deeper into the conversation.

Tap the link in our bio to watch the full panel and subscribe.
Watch Now: https://youtu.be/3-pGuL8xcIA?si=l2__waX9M3myyzCS

From discovering talent to building global careers, the CRAFT Addis 2026 fireside chat explored what it really takes to turn creative potential into lasting value.

Swipe through some of the key insights from Colin Gayle and Naima McLean as they unpacked talent development, investment, global positioning and the ecosystems needed to help creative talent thrive.

Swipe through the insights, and watch the full fireside chat on YouTube.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/l-JevTaIV2k?si=jXN-H2_fMwjt9yu2

The opening CRAFT Addis 2026 Fireside Chat is now live on YouTube.

From Creator to Global Brands brought together Colin Gayle, Founder of Africa Creative Publishing, and , Vice President of Creative Economy at ALX, for a powerful conversation on what it takes to turn creative potential into globally recognised talent.

Together, they explored what happens beyond discovering great talent: how artist development, investment, cultural understanding, intellectual property, strategic partnerships and the right ecosystem can transform creative potential into sustainable global careers.

Drawing from Colin’s experience working with artists including Tyla and Diamond Platnumz, the conversation offers practical insights into identifying star potential, building the right teams and creating brands that can connect with audiences across markets.

It is a conversation about what happens when talent is backed by the right people, investment, strategy and ecosystem.

The full fireside chat is now released. Go watch it on YouTube.

Watch Now: https://youtu.be/l-JevTaIV2k?si=jXN-H2_fMwjt9yu2

ArtistDevelopment CreativeIndustries

From the global value of African creativity to the business of capturing that value, the opening panel at CRAFT Addis 2026 brought powerful perspectives to the table.

Swipe through some of the key insights from Andisa Ntsubane, Jocelyn Muhutu-Remy and Zelalem Woldemariam as they unpacked what it takes to turn creativity into sustainable economic value.

Go and watch the full panel now on YouTube.

At CRAFT Addis 2026, we celebrated those who give creativity a louder voice, greater visibility and a platform to reach further.

The Global Amplifier Award recognizes a contribution to elevating African creativity, connecting creative work with wider audiences and helping African stories, talent and ideas gain the recognition they deserve.

African Creative Agency (africacreativeagency) was awarded the Global Amplifier Award for its role in amplifying African creativity and creating greater visibility for the continent’s creative talent on the global stage.

Through its work, the agency continues to help African ideas travel further, opening new opportunities for creative voices to be seen, heard and celebrated.

At CRAFT Addis 2026, we celebrated those helping shape a future where creativity is recognized as a vital force for development, resilience and global influence.

The Catalyst for Creative Growth Award recognizes a contribution to moving the creative industries from the periphery to the center of economic and cultural development.

Afreximbank was awarded the Catalyst for Creative Growth Award for its commitment to accelerating the development and monetization of Africa’s creative and cultural industries through its innovative CANEX Programme.

By bringing together financial instruments, strategic partnerships, business support and the wider strength of its ecosystem, Afreximbank is helping creative entrepreneurs turn talent into sustainable businesses and build an industry with greater economic impact.

The opening panel of CRAFT Addis 2026 is now live on YouTube.

The Creative Economy: Africa’s New Infrastructure Panel brought together Andisa Ntsubane, Managing Executive for Brand, Marketing & Communication at Vodacom Group Ltd.; Jocelyn Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify; and Zelalem Woldemariam, CEO & Chief Creative Director of Zeleman Communications, in a powerful conversation moderated by Mirafe Gebriel, General Manager of ALX Ethiopia.

Together, they explored a defining shift: how connectivity, platforms, creativity and creative talent are shaping new pathways for economic growth.

From film, music and fashion to design, technology and digital platforms, the creative sector is no longer simply producing content. It is becoming part of the infrastructure that drives industries, creates opportunity and shapes the economies of tomorrow.

This was the conversation that set the tone for CRAFT Addis 2026.

The full panel is now released. Go watch it on YouTube.

Watch Now: https://youtu.be/zZ7nm_kfI1k