The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, UNDP Malawi and Standard Bank Malawi have launched a three-day Forum to reposition Malawi’s creative economy for investment, jobs and economic growth.
LILONGWE, [launch date] — The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, in partnership with UNDP Malawi and Standard Bank Malawi, has unveiled the Malawi Creative Economy and Investment Forum 2026, to be held from 25 to 27 November 2026 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
The Forum brings together creatives, investors, financiers, policymakers and development partners for three days of plenaries, panels, masterclasses and showcases, with dedicated tracks for film, fashion and music alongside cross-cutting sessions on policy, intellectual property, finance, exports and digital opportunity.
“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.”
“Malawi has the talent. Our collective responsibility is to create the conditions for that talent to thrive economically.”
“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.”
The launch featured performances by Malawian artists, a panel discussion on the future of the creative economy and a showcase of partners supporting the Forum, including the British Council, the Copyright Fund, Hills Capital, the Film Association of Malawi, the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre and the Fashion Association.
A creative economy exhibition and marketplace will run alongside the Forum, and a call for research, case studies and position papers is open. Registration for participants is open on the Forum website.
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