NECLive 2025: A Global Platform for Africa’s Creative Industry
West Africa’s leading entertainment conference, NECLive, is set to return in November 2025 with a new global format. The event will take place at the prestigious Landmark Centre in Lagos, with additional international venues to be announced. This year’s edition, themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” marks the 13th anniversary of the conference and aims to bring together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Africa and the global diaspora.
Since its launch in 2013, NECLive has become a vital hub for discussions, networking, and innovation within Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries. Over the past decade, it has hosted more than 500 speakers and panellists, attracted over 100,000 participants, and reached an audience of more than 100 million people across 50+ countries. The conference has also facilitated over 1,000 business deals and partnerships, reinforcing its mission to support sustainable growth in the sector.
Nigeria’s creative economy has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. Nollywood, the country’s film industry, is now the world’s second-largest by volume, while Afrobeats has achieved global mainstream success. Nigerian artists have sold out major international arenas, received Grammy recognition, and gained viral attention on digital platforms. The sector contributes approximately 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP, valued at over $4.2 billion annually.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, limited access to funding, weak intellectual property protection, and inadequate distribution networks continue to hinder growth. The sector also faces increasing competition from international markets and struggles with brain drain as talent moves to regions with better opportunities and support systems.
However, the potential for global impact is immense. Africa’s creative industries could capture a larger share of the global creative economy, currently valued at $2.25 trillion. With strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and policy reforms, Nigerian creatives can leverage the continent’s rich cultural heritage and growing youth population to build sustainable enterprises that drive broader economic development.
The 2025 edition of NECLive will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and performers from across Africa and the global diaspora. Industry leaders, policymakers, investors, corporate brands, and emerging talent will come together to discuss successful models of creative enterprise and explore practical solutions for scaling African creative businesses globally.
Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of NECLive, emphasized the significance of this moment. “After more than a decade of facilitating crucial conversations within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, we’re witnessing unprecedented global recognition and commercial success for our creative talents,” he said. “However, we must now focus on building the infrastructure, appropriate policies, and business frameworks that will ensure this momentum translates into sustainable economic power for our nation.”
NECLive 2025 offers unique opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development. Prospective sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, partners, and volunteers are encouraged to join this important conversation about Nigeria’s creative future. The conference serves as a platform to shape the direction of the continent’s creative industries and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Those interested in participating or exploring partnership opportunities can visit www.nec.ng to learn more and express their interest. As NECLive continues to evolve, it remains a key driver of innovation and growth in Africa’s dynamic creative ecosystem.
