CANEX Create-Thon 2026 ($50,000 prize pool) – YOA

Deadline: September 25, 2026

Applications for the CANEX Create-Thon 2026 are actually open. The CANEX Create-Thon 2026, powered by Gebeya is a Pan-African artistic expertise competitors designed to find and showcase Africa’s subsequent technology of innovators throughout Gaming, Video, and Music.

Brought to you by CANEX in partnership with Gebeya and Afreximbank Innovation Lab, individuals will take part in an intensive 4 day construct dash, utilizing DALA Studio’s AI expertise to rework artistic concepts into working tasks. Beyond the competitors, CANEX Create-thon connects creators with leading edge AI technical instruments, continental publicity and the OPPORTUNITY to showcase the chosen finalists at CANEX Weekend 2026 in Lagos.

Categories

Showcase your model on one platform with trade leaders from all over the world.

• Gaming: Create African-inspired video games, immersive experiences, gameplay innovations- leveraging AI instruments for constructing.
• Video: Develop African-inspired storytelling experiences and video manufacturing utilizing AI-powered content material or visible media parts.
• Music: Build African-inspired music experiences, leveraging AI-powered sound innovation instruments and parts.

Benefits

• Access to money prizes: Compete for a share of the US$50,000 prize pool, awarded to the highest creators in recognition of excellent innovation, creativity, and technical excellence throughout the Gaming, Video, and Music classes. Additional prizes for prime 20 submissions per nation.
• Build with AI – DALA Studios: Turn daring concepts into working prototypes throughout an intensive 4 day Create-thon, leveraging Gebeya’s AI-powered, DALA Studios, compute assets, and technical infrastructure offered via the programme.
• Mentorship from Industry Experts: Receive arms-on steerage from Gebeya’s community of Dala Studio consultants and neighborhood ambassadors who will help all through the construct dash.
• Continental Recognition, publicity to trade leaders: Showcase your venture to main voices in Africa’s artistic and expertise ecosystem via CANEX and Afreximbank Innovation Lab, positioning your work for higher visibility throughout the continent.

Eligibility

• Open to African creators, innovators and builders dwelling on the continent and within the diaspora who’re enthusiastic about utilizing expertise to form the way forward for the artistic financial system.
• Participants might apply as people in one among three competitors classes: Gaming, Video or Music. The competitors welcomes sport builders, musicians and producers, filmmakers, video creators, designers, digital artists, builders, artistic technologists, AI builders, startups and multidisciplinary groups.
• Applicants have to be 18 years or older on the time of registration. All submissions have to be initially developed through the official CANEX Create-thon construct dash on DALA Studio by Gebeya.
• Participants could also be required to supply proof of identification, age, or possession of their submitted venture through the choice course of.

Application

Participants are required to:

• Register for CANEX Create-thon 2026, powered by Gebeya
• Get acquainted with the instruments and construct some take a look at tasks forward of the Create-thon

Build dash Opens formally:

• Select one competitors class: Gaming, Video or Music.
• Build an authentic venture through the official construct dash.
• Submit a working venture earlier than the submission deadline, accompanied by a venture temporary.
• Ensure all submitted work is authentic and complies with the competitors guidelines.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to CANEX Creative Pitch Competition.