The CRAFT ADDIS Festival, a Pan-African celebration of creativity and innovation, has officially opened at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, marking a major milestone for Africa’s growing creative economy.

The festival is one of Africa’s largest creative sector gatherings, bringing together artists, designers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders from across the continent and beyond.

Running from May 1 to May 3, 2026, the event provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business development, aiming to transform Africa’s creative talent into sustainable economic opportunities.

With a strong focus on innovation, investment, and infrastructure, CRAFT ADDIS seeks to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce.

At its core, the festival envisions a new era where African art evolves into enterprise and cultural expression becomes a driver of economic growth, positioning the continent as a global hub of innovation and cultural production.

Speaking at the opening, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Tourism Sileshi Girma highlighted the festival’s role in inspiring young creatives and strengthening Africa’s position as a global creative powerhouse.

CRAFT ADDIS is expected to showcase African creativity while accelerating long-term growth in the continent’s creative industries.