The Africa Finance Corporation has renewed its collaboration with Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery to host the third edition of the +234 Art Fair, a four-day international exhibition focused on Nigeria’s expanding creative economy and the evolution of contemporary African art.
The 2026 fair, themed “Inclusivity,” is scheduled to run from March 5 to March 8 at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island.
Since its launch in 2024, the fair has attracted more than 18,000 visitors. Artist participation has also risen, growing from 200 exhibitors in its first year to 260 in the following edition, highlighting increasing engagement within the creative sector. Across its editions, the event has displayed over 1,100 works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, and children’s art, alongside masterclasses, live demonstrations, workshops, and networking sessions.
This year’s programme will include curated exhibitions, panel discussions, interactive installations, and industry networking platforms aimed at strengthening collaboration between financial institutions and creative professionals.
Leadership of the financing corporation described the initiative as part of broader efforts to unlock the commercial and cultural potential of African creative industries, noting that the platform enables artists to scale globally while retaining value within the continent.
Bank executives also emphasised the importance of providing visibility and market access for creatives, noting that the arts sector represents both cultural capital and economic opportunity.
The founder of the partner gallery explained that the fair is designed not only as an exhibition space but also as a vehicle for amplifying Nigerian artistic narratives and expanding access to regional and international markets. The “Inclusivity” theme, she said, reflects an intention to broaden representation across the art ecosystem.
Inspired by Nigeria’s international dialling code, the exhibition brings together emerging and established artists while promoting dialogue on the role of the creative economy in sustainable development. Preparations are already underway, with hundreds of artworks delivered to the 2,000-square-metre venue.
Beyond exhibitions, the fair will feature a specialist art bookshop, children’s creative zones, culinary experiences, collectors’ lounges, and professional workshops designed to deepen industry engagement.
