This article was produced with the support of 1-54
Afreximbank and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair have launched their first partnership with 1-54 Presents x CANEX. For the first time, 1-54 will curate an exhibition as part of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, hosted at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF). Made possible through the Afreximbank Art Programme (AFAP), this landmark collaboration underscores the bank’s commitment to positioning culture as a key pillar of economic development.
Founded in 2013, 1-54 has become the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Named after the 54 countries in Africa, the fair is known for its international scope and commitment to championing diverse voices across the visual arts.
Each year 1-54 hosts three core editions in London,New York and Marrakech. The fair extends its reach through its satellite exhibition programme, 1-54 Presents, previously hosted in cities such as Paris and Hong Kong. 1-54 Presents offers a dedicated platform for bold projects, expanding the fair’s curatorial scope beyond traditional formats.
Established in 2021, the Afreximbank Art Programme (AFAP) aims to support the development of Africa’s visual arts ecosystem through partnerships and capacity building. Central to the programme is its Acquisitions Committee, which guides the development of the Bank’s growing permanent collection of African and diasporic art.
To date, AFAP has played a critical role in amplifying underrepresented voices across the continent. Its work has led to the integration of African art into international spaces, including participation at events such as the Venice Biennale.
Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative was launched in 2020 to support the continent’s growing creative and cultural industries through finance, market access, infrastructure and advocacy. CANEX takes place as part of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which was developed in collaboration with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). IATF remains the continent’s largest trade and investment gathering, attracting more than 35,000 participants from over 55 countries.
“Through CANEX and the Afreximbank Art Programme, we aim to position the creative and cultural industries not only as vehicles for identity and storytelling, but as engines of intra-African trade and economic transformation,” said a spokesperson from the Afreximbank Art Programme
1-54 Presents x CANEX
The inaugural edition of 1-54 Presents at CANEX this year will feature a curated exhibition presented within the Intra-African Trade Fair. The collaboration sends a strong signal: creative economy is a central component of Africa’s development strategy.
“Curating a programme within CANEX signals a bold shift: art is no longer seen as a peripheral or niche sector, it’s central to economic development and cultural diplomacy,” said 1-54 founder Touria El Glaoui. “This partnership shows that when we break down silos, we create real value chains.”
Beyond the exhibition, the programme aims to create new networks across creative disciplines, from visual art to fashion, music, design and architecture. It represents a new approach to cultural diplomacy, one in which creativity is woven directly into the language of trade and strategy.
“Our collaboration with 1-54 represents a shared investment in narrative sovereignty. Together, we are creating infrastructure that allows African creativity to circulate on its own terms, and at its own scale,” noted the Afreximbank Art Programme.
Afreximbank’s curated spotlight at 1-54 London:
This October, 1-54 returns to London for its 13th edition, once again held at the iconic Somerset House, occupying its East, West and South Wing. Over 50 exhibitors will present the work of more than 100 established and emerging artists. Timed to coincide with Frieze London from 16–19 October, the fair has become a key moment on the international art calendar.
As part of this year’s edition, Afreximbank will present a Curated Spotlight, a dedicated section highlighting a new generation of artists from across the continent, with a focus on emerging voices.
“This Curated Spotlight at 1-54 London is the culmination of months of dialogue, alignment and shared ambition,” said El Glaoui. “It reflects a new phase where African institutions are actively shaping the narrative, curating the content.”
Afreximbank’s presence in London is an extension of its growing cultural reach through its Art Programme, which has supported visual arts, publishing and cultural programming across the continent. This marks an important shift among African institutions to lead, not just fund, major cultural platforms.
“Highlighting emerging artistic voices is at the core of our mandate. Supporting underrepresented practices allows us to build a more inclusive cultural ecosystem, while deepening cross-regional dialogue,” added the Afreximbank Art Programme team.
The Afreximbank Art Prize:
The partnership will also see the launch of the Afreximbank Art Prize, with the first edition to be awarded at 1-54 Marrakech in February 2026.
Created to support emerging talent, the prize reflects a long-term commitment to artists from Africa and its diaspora. Though further details will follow, the intention behind the prize is clear and ambitious. It aims to provide artists with greater visibility, mobility and resources, building more sustainable career pathways across regions.
“We want this to be a catalyst,” said Touria El Glaoui. “Not just a moment of recognition, but a sustained step forward in an artist’s career, backed by a meaningful institution.”
“The Art Prize is a long-term investment in artistic excellence and visibility. It’s not just a moment of recognition, but a sustained platform for emerging talent to engage with international curators, collectors and networks,” confirmed the Afreximbank Art Programme.
Long-term, institutional collaboration
The combined launch of 1-54 Presents x CANEX, the Curated Spotlight in London and the Afreximbank Art Prize signals a shift in how art and culture are supported across Africa, anchored not in one-off initiatives but in long-term, institutional collaboration. As El Glaoui notes, “The goal is to create infrastructure that outlives any single partnership.”
Looking ahead, the Afreximbank Art Programmeenvisions a deeper institutional footprint, including physical infrastructure to house its growing collection and expanded global partnerships that increase access to African art globally. “The vision is to transform AFAP into a dynamic platform for cultural preservation, artistic innovation and public engagement.”
By bringing together the art world’s leading platform for African art and one of the continent’s most influential financial institutions, 1-54 and Afreximbank are helping define what cultural leadership can look like in the 21st century.
