Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s Administration Reaffirms Support For Creative Sector

As Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) officially opened in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s strong commitment to supporting stakeholders across the creative and entertainment landscape. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, she emphasized that Lagos continues to prioritise collaborations that strengthen the sector both locally and across the diaspora. The week-long event, taking place from November 18 to 23 at venues such as Livespot Entertarium, Eko Hotel and Suites, EbonyLife Place, and Alliaco, sets the stage for a dynamic celebration of African creativity.

Benson-Awoyinka described Lagos as a year-round hub of cultural and artistic expression, far beyond the much-celebrated “Detty December” festivities. She noted that the state government has consistently provided the enabling environment for creatives and organisations whose work aligns with its vision of building a globally competitive creative economy. According to her, the rising number of successful film, music, fashion, and digital projects emerging from Lagos is clear evidence of the positive impact of government intervention in the sector.

The Commissioner commended EWA founder, Mrs. Deola Art-Alade, for her visionary leadership in expanding the platform from Entertainment Week Lagos to Entertainment Week Africa. She highlighted the importance of mentorship in nurturing young talents and praised the event’s evolution into a pan-African platform that showcases the continent’s creativity. Art-Alade, in her remarks, described the rebrand as a bold commitment to a new era of African innovation, culture, and business. She explained that EWA seeks to unify Africa’s creative value chain by bringing fans, creators, and industry innovators together under one immersive ecosystem.

A key highlight of this year’s edition includes the EWA Content Festival and the EWA Music Camp. The Content Festival will give filmmakers and enthusiasts access to exclusive screenings, premieres, workshops, and networking opportunities, enabling them to explore new avenues for distribution and collaboration. Meanwhile, the Music Camp hosts emerging producers, songwriters, and engineers in a week-long creative studio environment where they can collaborate on original projects designed for global appeal. Co-founder Darey Art-Alade added that the event’s professional programmes such as the Content Market and Creators’ Hub will deliver real, tangible opportunities for creatives across Africa. He also noted that application details will soon be announced on EWA’s official social media channels.

With its expanded identity and strengthened vision, Entertainment Week Africa is positioning itself as the continent’s leading hub for creative collaboration, knowledge exchange, and talent development. Building on the legacy of Entertainment Week Lagos, EWA is committed to shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy by promoting mentorship, employment pathways, and community-building initiatives. As Africa’s cultural influence continues to grow globally, stakeholders agree that platforms like EWA are essential to unlocking the continent’s creative potential and amplifying its presence on the world stage.