Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and multiple award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have been listed as esteemed speakers at a literary webinar being put together by the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) in collaboration with Narrative Landscape Press.
Other speakers at the webinar scheduled to hold 31 August 2023 are Zukiswa Wanner, Jessemusse Cacinda, Lorraine Sithole, and Ayodeji Olatoye, while the discussions will be moderated by Dr. Eghosa Imasuen.
The webinar, which comes as part of the CANEX@IATF2023 programme, is expected to feature thought-provoking and engaging conversations examining the needs of the book publishing value chain in Africa, including legal, accounting, and creative writing resources for all stakeholders involved.
It aims to address critical issues encountered within the African literary sector, which aligns with the broader objectives of the CANEX initiative – to provide a platform for literary stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and chart a sustainable path forward for the African Creative and Cultural Industries.
Some of Africa’s most celebrated and revered authors as well as industry experts who would grace the event will engage in discussions and strategy proposal for building an inclusive, resilient and sustainable literary ecosystem in Africa.
Themes such as distribution, policy/legislation, and infrastructure will also be addressed.
The topics to be discussed include Inspiring Growth in Africa’s Publishing Industries, Collaboration Across Borders, Secured Transactions in IP Laws and Their Opportunities, and Publishing on the Continent: An Overview of Needs.
Subsequently, through the focused discussions and interactive sessions, participants in the webinar will proffer workshop solutions for addressing the needs of the book publishing value chain in Africa, hence contributing to the growth and sustainability of the literary ecosystem and providing a solid foundation for writers, editors, agents, publishers, and booksellers on the continent.
The webinar is part of the build-up of CANEX at the Intra -African Trade Fair which will take place 9-15 November in Cairo, Egypt.
CANEX, which was founded by the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), facilitates the development and growth of creative and cultural industries in Africa and its diaspora. The initiative provides a range of financing and non-financing instruments/interventions aimed at supporting and developing Africa’s production, trade, and investment in the creative sector.
