We are taking Communiqué IRL global in 2026
The next phase of our community movement is here.
Within the last year, Communiqúe IRL has grown from a small community gathering in Lagos into a powerful meeting point for Africa’s creators, founders, operators, and investors. Every city we’ve touched, from Lagos to Nairobi and Joburg has shown one thing clearly: there is an undeniable global energy around Africa’s creative economy.
In 2026, we’re taking it even further. But first, let’s take a moment to look back at what we built together this year.
We kicked off 2025 in Lagos with 100+ creators, filmmakers, storytellers, producers, directors, and influencers. We dug into barriers to exporting Nollywood content to diaspora communities in major cities, the potential lessons from Afrobeats’ global rise, and strategies to strengthen cinema culture in Nigeria and West Africa. In partnership with Filmmakers Mart, British Council, and WiiCreate, we shaped an edition that felt both intimate and electric.
Now, you can’t talk about Africa’s creative economy without talking about East Africa. So in August, we took IRL to Nairobi in partnership with our friends at Alliance Française, BlueLine Gifts, and Botahouse. 120+ cultural operators, media executives and creative entrepreneurs mingled as we spoke about data, ecosystem building, storytelling, and the undeniable force that Nairobi has become in shaping East Africa’s creative identity.
We closed the year with Joburg’s unmistakable creative energy. This edition, powered by TikTok, brought a room full of creators, operators, and innovators. We explored South Africa’s rising creator class, examining how creators can move beyond content creation to build structured, sustainable businesses from their creativity and influence.
Three cities. More than 350 people. Countless conversations that reminded us why this work matters and why there’s a worldwide appetite for the creative economy.
In 2026, Communiqué IRL is going global.
We’re taking our signature blend of insight, storytelling, connection, and community to four cities across three continents, with the potential for more.
Here’s where we’re headed next:
IRL Lagos 2.0 (March): We’re kicking the year off back where it all began. We’re coming back to host an even bigger and sharper gathering at the heart of Nigeria’s creative and economic capital. Our conversation will explore what life looks like for creators beyond “just content.”
IRL London (May): From Lagos, we head to London, where we will be connecting Africa’s creative economy to one of the world’s most important global cultural capitals.
IRL New York (September): Next up is the Big Apple, where we will dive deep into the creativity, culture, and investment that lie at the heart of global media and entertainment. We will explore Africa’s place in the global conversation.
IRL Cape Town (November): We will close the year by heading over to one of Africa’s most dynamic creative cities. Here, we will focus on the relationship between technology and the creative economy.
Across these cities, expect a blend of:
Honest conversations and practical insights
Case studies and behind-the-scenes lessons from operators
New connections across industries and borders
A growing global community of people building at the intersection of media, creativity, and business
2026 will be our most ambitious year yet — and we can’t wait to build it with you.
Registration details for each city will go out soon. If you’d like to partner, host, or collaborate, email partnership@communiquehq.com or send us a DM. Our inboxes are open.