About Zvaexpo

What is ZVAEXPO?

Zanzibar Visual Art Expo, particularly Zanzibar content market, serves as a significant platform for the Visual art, African content media, Creative and Cultural sectors.The largest multi-disciplinary cultural, creative event of its kind in East Africa.

• Expo for youths and creative talents
• Tourism friendly – has acquired the reputation one of a top destinations
• Cultural Tourism product International- on average over 20 countries will represent.
• Creative, cultural activities –oriented programme that includes over locals, Social aware with ties with cultural, civic, film and social NGO’s across Africa 8 Developmental – with a strong focus on workshops and outreach
• Business friendly – with various partners, sponsors and a market driven approach to visual art, ICT, creative, tourism & culture.

The ZVAEXPO will provide opportunities for matchmaking, entrepreneurship, training, networking amongst the youth and other delegates at the Investment Expo

Trade Exhibition, large corporates as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can set up pavilions and exhibition stands, which will enable them to customise their exhibitions to fit their unique requirements. This offers private and public entities opportunities to showcase their goods and services

Zanzibar Visual Art Expo (ZVAE)– is an annual event initiated by Zanzibar Entertainment Foundation that seeks to inspire Africans to explores the business of creative, Visual art, ICT, culture through tourism from the beautiful islands in Africa to the Africans and globally. The Expo will showcase our unique socio-economic, environmental and cultural diversities and heritages that will help create economic sustainability for the African talents and the host country at large.

Specific Objectives

To establish Zanzibar as a regional and international center for visual arts and creative economy growth.

Specific Objectives

• Scale up local contents through inclusive partnerships with smallholder artists and producers.
• Drive sales growth via value-added processing of diverse creative products.
• Build a commercially viable enterprise that catalyzes long-term industrial and creative growth.

• Promote local artists to global markets
• Attract cultural tourism and investment
• Create income opportunities for creatives
• Build a sustainable creative ecosystem
• Encourage youth participation in the arts
• Establish a sustainable annual art expo
• Generate economic returns through art and tourism
• Support local creative entrepreneurs
• Attract international art markets 

TARGET

The EXPO 2026 is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors, 3,000 audiences and visitors, and generate trade and investment deals exceeding previous editions, further advancing the EXPO’s vision of a connected and competitive African market.

PROGRAM 2026 – NEX GEN AGENDA

PRESENTATION

• The Economic Contribution of Creative Economy in the country – Transitioning from informal to formal operation.
• How digital innovations are revolutionizing cross-border collaboration, distribution strategies, and monetization frameworks?
• Why, and who should pay the taxes?

PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND NETWORK SESSIONS

• How financial companies can invest in a creative industry?
• Why intellectual property and creative law are important for SMEs?
• How Technology as a new way to build a successful and Sustainable economy through Tourism, Creative and Cultural Industries?

 INDUSTRIES

• MUSIC
• FASHION
• HANDCRAFTS
• FILM
• ICT
• PAINTING
• SCULPTURE ETC.

ROAD TO INVESTMENT

Just the name Zanzibar conjures up positive and mythical images – long known as a hub of trade, communications and a true cultural melting pot – Zanzibar is one of Africa’s top cultural tourism destinations – and for good reason.

STONETOWN is one of the highlights of the island location’s cultural calendar with thousands of people attending every year. Producers, Distributors, content creators, Organizers, Professionals, Tourists, Artists, designers, art’s -lovers and tourists all flock to the Week of event that celebrates fashion, the creative arts and the spirit of the island itself.

We are convening now for the 5^th year in a row as it commenced in 2020, continued to 2025. The 2026 edition will be EXPO, is set for 5-7 November 2026.The ZVAEXPO will comprise of five (5) main events, (1) Business exhibitions, (2) Screening, (3) B2B Networking (4) Creative Soko Content,

(5) Live Art performance, Masterclass and Pitching projects.

This Expo will create a platform for a diverse audience to engage in an Africa content creators, culture, media which will include distributors, designers, stylists, entrepreneurs, journalists, Artists, Photographers, officials from the government, Embassies, consular missions, private sector as well as non-governmental organization etc.

The theme of the summit is ‘’ Creative investment to economic revolution’’- so as to mark the inclusive talents in creative, cultural, social and economic affairs of the world.

The concept of let us tell our story through:

1. Business to Business
2. Cultural interaction

• Creative, Innovation and Monetization activities.

 BOARD MEMBERS

1. Maimouna Dembele (Senegal/US) – Former Chairperson of Africa Music Foundation and Brand Ambassador of Made in Africa.
2. Beatricz S. Emmanuel (USA) – Chief Business Development Officer and Technical Business Analyst Technical Business Analyst | Government Contracts | Ottawa, Canada
3. Bahadur Hassanal – Investment consultant and Expert, Tanzania
4. Adam Agergaard – Creative and Corporate Strategic Director, Denmark (UID, VID, UI, VI – Agency for Innovation, Design & Strategy)

   The event takes place on 5-7 November 2026, at the Forodhani Garden, Horizon Hotel, Park Hyatt Hotel and Livingstone Restaurant Stone Town, Zanzibar.

   WHO WILL ATTEND?

   INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS INDIVIDUAL

   • Creative Enthusiasts
   • Creative Influencers
   • Culture Tourists

   GOVERNANCE

   • Law And Policy Makers
   • Governments Cultural Bodies
   • Tourism Bodies
   • Ministries

   CREATIVE AND MEDIA PROFESSIONALS

   • Advertising and Creative Agencies
   • Animators and Fx Artists
   • Art Curators and Galleries
   • Broadcasters, Buyers,
   • Cinema and Film Distributors
   • Composers, Content Creators ,Creative Sector
   • Retailers
   • Designers and Models,
   • Educators and Trainers
   • Event and Festival Organizers
   • Fashion Designers and Filmmakers
   • Literary Publishers
   • Media Editors and Creative Agencies
   • Musicians Performers

   CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS

   • Producers
   • Record Label, Executives and Music Distributors
   • Songwriters, Streaming Platforms and Digital Platforms Visual Artists

   CORPORATE & INVESTORS

   • Private Investors
   • Banks
   • Funds
   • Sovereign Funders

   Call for Applications

   ZVAEXPO 2026 is here, bringing together the best of East African Creative, Culture, Art, Tourism, and innovation! This is your chance to be a part of the Creative and Cultural Summit. We invite you to explore the opportunities below and join us in making history.

   Register as a Speaker

   Share your insights and expertise with a global audience and be a voice in shaping Africa’s narrative.

   Register your Side Events

   Host workshops, panels, or special showcases to engage and connect with attendees.

   Call for Artists