Ghana’s WEAR Ghana and Republic of Africa emerge winners at CANEX Creative Pitch 2026

Ghanaian entrepreneur Awura Abena Agyeman has been named the winner of CANEX Creative Pitch 2026, taking place in Lagos, Nigeria. The celebration was part of Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), a gathering organized by Afreximbank to connect entrepreneurs, artists, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for financing, collaboration, and growth within Africa's creative industries.

Agyeman's presentation showcased the evolution of her business, WEAR Ghana, founded in 2013 to promote locally made clothing. The venture has since transformed into the pan-African cultural enterprise, Republic of Africa. A notable achievement highlighted in her pitch was the GIGI collection, introduced in 2016, which features African wax-print designs and continues to sell worldwide ten years later.

In addition to the business journey, Agyeman emphasized the significance of employment, skills development, and local production in Africa's creative economy. Her win at CANEX comes as there is increasing discussion about the economic potential of African creativity and the necessity for greater local involvement in industries built around the continent's cultural influence.

This victory also highlights the role of platforms like CANEX in providing opportunities for African creative entrepreneurs to connect directly with potential investors and industry leaders. For WEAR Ghana and Republic of Africa, the triumph represents another chapter in a journey that started with a simple goal to encourage Ghanaians to wear Ghanaian-made clothing, which has since blossomed into a broader vision of African cultural connection and enterprise.