Africa’s foremost creator economy summit returns with its most ambitious edition yet, bringing together creators, platforms, brands, investors, and policymakers under the theme Small Screen, Big Economy.
Digital Creator Africa (DCA) and Handle It Africa today announced the Digital Creator Africa Summit (DCAS) 2026, taking place in Lusaka, Zambia this July as part of the Africa Creative Market (ACM). The summit will bring together Africa’s most influential creators, platform executives, investors, media leaders, and policy stakeholders for a high-impact convening themed Small Screen, Big Economy.
DCAS 2026 takes place as part of the Africa Creative Market (ACM), which has secured the formal backing of the Zambian Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, giving the summit the weight of official national endorsement as a flagship creative economy event. The summit will take place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Great East Road, Lusaka, and is expected to welcome 1,000 attendees across a carefully curated audience of creators (60%), brands and industry partners (20%), government and institutional representatives (5%), and wider creative economy stakeholders. The summit is pan-African in scope, drawing participation from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and across the diaspora.
DCAS 2026 follows the success of the 2025 edition, which took place on 18 September 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme Monetize Your Creativity. The Lagos edition attracted hundreds of creators, brands, and industry leaders, and featured the landmark announcement of the $500,000 Fourth Mainland Creator Fund by Chude Jideonwo.
The 2026 Lusaka edition builds on that momentum with a significantly expanded programme, including a live AI filmmaking demonstration led by visionary filmmaker and AI artist Malik Afegbua, the launch of VEX as Africa’s inaugural vertical content market, and the formal endorsement of the ACM by the Zambian Ministry of Arts, Youth, Sports and Tourism.
“Africa is no longer waiting for a seat at the global table. We are building our own. DCAS 2026 in Lusaka is a declaration that the African creator economy has the talent, the technology, and now the institutional backing to define the next chapter of global entertainment. This is not a conversation about potential. This is a movement in motion.”
Ifeoma ‘Oma’ Areh, Convener, DCAS | Co-Founder, Digital Creator Africa Academy for Microdrama (DCAA) | Global Partnerships Director, Africa Creative Market (ACM)
A PROGRAMME BUILT FOR IMPACT
DCAS 2026 is structured around three signature activations:
- Industry Panels: High-level, moderated conversations exploring the monetisation of vertical content, the role of brands in the creator economy, AI-driven production, and Africa’s place in the global short-form entertainment market. Designed for actionable industry alignment, the panels will generate significant regional press and social media coverage.
- Live AI Demonstration: Led by acclaimed AI filmmaker and visual artist Malik Afegbua, this real-time demonstration will take audiences from pitch to polished scene on stage. One of the most anticipated moments of the summit, the activation showcases how artificial intelligence is transforming production pipelines for African creators, and positions DCAS as the continent’s most forward-thinking creative economy convening.
- Creators Night: The most anticipated social moment of DCAS 2026, an exclusive, high-energy evening bringing together Africa’s most influential creators, brand partners, industry leaders, and institutional stakeholders. Creators Night is the most press-heavy and socially amplified event of the entire summit.
The full programme will also include:
- Launch of VEX (Vertical Exchange)
- Brand Speed Dating with Young Creators
- Structured Deal Room Sessions
- AI and Creator Economy Workshops
- Press and Media Engagement
“Handle It Africa is proud to be a part of DCAS 2026. Zambia’s creative economy is ready for this moment, and we are committed to supporting the infrastructure and connections that will turn this summit into lasting industry impact across the continent.”
— Olufemi Oguntamu, Handle It Africa
Digital Creator Africa Summit 2026 is also supported by The WildFlower Company, WildPepper Studios, Penzaarville Media and others.
ABOUT DCAS 2026
The Digital Creator Africa Summit is a joint initiative of Digital Creator Africa (DCA) and Handle It Africa. DCAS is Africa’s foremost convening platform dedicated to the future of the creator economy, digital storytelling, vertical content, artificial intelligence in film, and creator-led commerce.
ABOUT DIGITAL CREATOR AFRICA (DCA)
Digital Creator Africa is the umbrella organisation behind DCAS and the Digital Creator Africa Academy for Microdrama (DCAA), Africa’s not-for-profit training institution for the microdrama sector.
ABOUT HANDLE IT AFRICA
Handle It Africa is a pan-African creative platform committed to building thriving communities for African creatives and celebrating a rapidly evolving creative ecosystem that elevates African talents.
PARTNERSHIP AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Commercial partnership opportunities are available across sponsorship, brand integration, deal room participation, and exclusive activations.
General and Partnership Enquiries: partnerships@digitalcreatorafrica.com
