Registration now open

Malawi Creative Economy & Investment Forum 2026

Repositioning Malawi's creative economy for investment , jobs and economic growth

25–27 November 2026 Lilongwe, MalawiBingu International Convention Centre

Performer with the crowd at the Forum launch

Countdown to the Forum

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Four tracks. One creative economy.

Cross-cutting plenaries plus dedicated sector tracks for film, fashion and music — each pairing masterclasses and bootcamps with panels on rights, markets and finance.

Young people trying virtual reality headsets

Track 01

General

Plenary and cross-cutting discussions on policy, investment, IP, digital innovation, financing, exports and public-private partnerships.

Track 02

Film

Project packaging, budgeting, co-productions, distribution and market access for filmmakers and content creators.

Model in a patterned print dress in tall grass at sunset

Track 03

Fashion

Product development, branding, pricing, sourcing, production, exports and value chains for designers, tailors and textile makers.

Two vocalists singing at microphones on an outdoor stage, with a bassist behind them

Track 04

Music

Music business development, copyright, royalties, digital distribution, financing and market readiness.

Plenaries, panels & fireside chats

Policy, IP, finance, exports and digital opportunity — with lessons from across Africa.

Masterclasses & bootcamps

Hands-on track sessions, from scriptwriting and styling to pricing, release planning and the business of music.

Intellectual property sessions

Exhibition & marketplace

Visual arts, photography, crafts, literature, film, fashion and heritage displays from Day 2.

Showcases & networking

Welcome reception, film awards gala and a Pan-African film showcase.

Minister’s message

One of the objectives for the investment forum is to promote financing and investment for the creative industries and learn from other countries on models that have worked to unlock financing and investment for the sector

Hon. Alfred Gangata

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture

Programme overview

Three days
at BICC

Full programme with session details

Wednesday 25 November 2026The future of Malawi’s creative economy — African lessons and Malawian opportunities

12:30BreakLunch

Draft programme. All speakers and facilitators are proposed until independently confirmed; sessions may change.
Only a lunch break (12:30–13:30) is scheduled each day. Acoustic, musical and dance performances are programmed as interludes between sessions.
A creative economy exhibition and marketplace runs alongside the Forum from Day 2 — a separate programme will be provided.
There is no formal investor pitching, buyer matchmaking or guaranteed financing.

The launch

Moments from the unveiling

Creatives, partners and performers came together in Lilongwe to unveil the Forum.

Artist performing on stage at the launch

Why it matters

Malawi has the talent. Our collective responsibility is to create the conditions for that talent to thrive economically.

CADr. Chika Charles Aniekwe
Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Malawi

We want to be part of the journey of our youth creating opportunities for themselves through music, fashion, film, digital content, visual arts and many other forms of expression.

JMMr. John Mhone
Chief Financial & Value Management Officer, Standard Bank Malawi

Your seat at the table starts here

Places are limited. Registration closes 16 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.

CreativeCreative enterprises, startups, SMEs and independent artists in film, fashion, music and beyond.Register as creative →ExhibitorRequest exhibition space to showcase products, collections or services to buyers.Apply to exhibit →Investor, financier or partnerInvestors, financial institutions, development partners, government and media.Register interest →

01Register onlineAbout 10 minutes

02ReviewOrganising team assesses

03Get notifiedApproval by email

04Show upBadge check-in at BICC

Lilongwe, Malawi

The Forum venue

Bingu International Convention Centre hosts three days of plenaries, track rooms, exhibitions and showcases. Room allocations and directional guides will be published ahead of the Forum.

Location

Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), Lilongwe

Dates

Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 November 2026

Travel & accommodation

Participants arrange and cover their own transport and accommodation.

Get directions Room & floor guide