After more than a decade of facilitating crucial conversations within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, we’re witnessing an unprecedented moment where our creative talents are gaining global recognition and commercial success… 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
AS Africa’s creative economy continues to experience unprecedented growth and global recognition, industry leaders are preparing to gather in Lagos, the home of Nollywood and Afrobeats, to chart the course for sustainable growth and economic transformation.
The Nigerian Entertainment Conference, West Africa’s largest gathering of the creative industry, returns to Lagos on Friday, November 28, 2025, bringing together entertainment professionals, policymakers, investors, and emerging talent under the theme “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.”
Since its inception in 2013, NECLive has established itself as an influential platform for critical conversations and interventions shaping the continent’s entertainment landscape. The conference has hosted more than 500 industry keynotes, workshops, masterclasses, demos, and panels, attracted over 100,000 participants, and reached an audience exceeding 100 million people across 50 countries. It has also facilitated over 1,000 deals and partnerships, cementing its role as a catalyst for industry growth. This year’s edition arrives at a pivotal moment for African creativity.
Nollywood has cemented its position as the world’s second-largest film industry by volume, while Afrobeats continues its global domination with Nigerian artistes selling out major international arenas and earning Grammy recognition. The sector now contributes approximately 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP, worth over $4.2 billion annually, with Nigerian films accounting for 56% of box office revenue in the first half of 2024.
Despite these remarkable achievements, the industry faces significant hurdles that threaten long-term sustainability. Infrastructure deficits, limited access to funding, inadequate intellectual property protection, and weak distribution networks continue to constrain growth potential.
“After more than a decade of facilitating crucial conversations within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, we’re witnessing an unprecedented moment where our creative talents are gaining global recognition and commercial success,” said Ayẹni Adékúnlé, Founder and Convener of NECLive. “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.
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