Have you heard about EKO AKETE: Lagos Creative Industry Fair, LCIF 2015?

This latest addition to the annual Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) is a timely move to foster productive cooperation between the business world as we know it and the creative industry. Despite the huge economic potential within the creative industry as contained in various reports made so far, entrepreneurs in this sector still suffer from low recognition and valuation of their products.

Well, change is here and it is the prerogative of every Creative to seize the moment and make it count. It is the first time that a sector of the 34-year old LITF, a leading forum for trade and business promotion in Africa, will be dedicated to creative businesses.

Eko Akete provides a platform for SME owners in fashion, literature, entertainment, performing arts, visual arts, and multi-media among others, to network with key decision and policy makers, regulatory agencies, media content buyers, investors and a rare opportunity for partnership using best global practice.

According to the organizers, the event also aims to showcase the artistic and intellectual offerings of creative entrepreneurs. Grand preparations are being made to make the 10-day event impactful, while exposing the business side of the creative industry and its value chain to local and international investors and stakeholders.

The LCIF is being co-hosted by trade fair organizers, Lagos Chamber of Industry and Commerce (LCCI) and the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA). It is scheduled to hold from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

CORA leadership are right on track with this as this partnership achieves for the creative sector, a well-deserved recognition as a major player in Nigeria’s imminent non-oil-independent economic growth.

A statement from CORA reads in part:
A Creative Industry Roundtable, an all-encompassing forum on the current trend and the future of the creative industry featuring presentations, conversations, discussions and showcases by/between/among/ leaders of the various sub-sectors in the creative industry – music, movie, comedy, theatre, fashion, media, show business and others – especially the interconnectedness and inter-dependency among the various sub-sectors. It will also feature a celebrity showcase and high-value performances”.

The event is being supported by Freedom Park, Goethe Institute, The British Council, 960 Music, among others.

Several packages exist for exhibitors to showcase their brands at the event. Contact details for inquiries can be picked from here.