The United States consulate general in Lagos has restated the importance of strengthening Nigeria-U.S. creative collaboration to expand opportunities for talent, investment and cultural exchange.

The consul general, Brandon Hudspeth, said this in a statement on Sunday, ahead of the fifth edition of Entertainment Week Africa.

Mr Hudspeth said creativity, culture and storytelling remained important components of bilateral relations, beyond trade, investment and commercial opportunities.

“When people talk about the U.S.-Nigeria relationship, the conversation often centres on trade, investment and commercial opportunities,” stated Mr Hudspeth.

He said Entertainment Week Africa was not merely a celebration of entertainment but also a platform supporting the interests of creators, entrepreneurs and investors.

The founders of EWA, Mr Deola Art Alade, group CEO of Livespot360, and Darey Art Alade, chief creative officer of Livespot360, also underscored the need to connect creative talent with investment, partnerships and infrastructure.

Darey said Entertainment Week Lagos, founded five years ago, was established to promote African creativity beyond entertainment and recognition, towards investment, opportunity and global economic participation.

He said the platform had evolved into Entertainment Week Africa, connecting creativity, technology, business and investment. According to him, the previous four editions attracted more than 67,000 attendees and provided opportunities for learning, collaboration, talent development and commercial partnerships.

Darey said the fifth edition, with the theme ‘Closing the Gap’, would focus on bridging the divide between talent and opportunity, creativity and commerce, and Africa’s potential and global markets.

He said the ambition was to ensure that Africa not only produced creative content but also owned more intellectual property, generated greater revenue and competed effectively in global markets.

Entertainment Week Africa 2026 is scheduled to hold from November 17 to 22 in Lagos, featuring discussions, workshops, masterclasses, showcases and networking sessions across music, film, fashion, technology, art, animation and creative enterprise.

The programme is expected to explore opportunities for sustainable growth, investment and international partnerships within Africa’s creative economy.

(NAN)