The African Marketplace (AMP) is set to stage its second edition from October 10 to 12, 2026, at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai, following what organisers described as a successful debut in 2025.
The three-day event is expected to bring together leading products, services, creatives and innovators from Africa and the Caribbean, while also connecting them with international buyers, investors, policymakers, distributors and cultural stakeholders.
The organisers said the platform is designed as a pan-continental trade and cultural showcase aimed at promoting export-ready African and Caribbean brands, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and innovators seeking global expansion.
AMP is also positioned as a gateway for unlocking investment opportunities and boosting international visibility for participating businesses across multiple sectors.
The 2026 edition would highlight African and Caribbean heritage alongside modern innovation in areas such as fashion, furniture, arts, cuisine, music, technology, wellness and intellectual property.
Speaking on the upcoming event, African Marketplace founder and Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA) Chairperson, Ibukun Awosika, said the 2025 edition proved the strength and readiness of African-led global initiatives.
“African Marketplace 2025 was proof of concept. What the world witnessed in Dubai was not potential, it was excellence in full expression,” she said.
Awosika added that the 2026 edition would be larger in scale and more commercially focused, stressing that Africa and the Caribbean are ready for global recognition on their own terms.
“For 2026, we are going even further. We are building on that foundation with greater scale, sharper commercial focus, and an even stronger declaration that Africa and the Caribbean are not waiting to be discovered.
“We are here. We are globally ready. And we are building our own tables. Dubai is where we invite the world to experience who we truly are, ” she said.
According to organisers, AMP will feature curated exhibitions, business networking sessions, investment discussions, cultural showcases and strategic partnership opportunities.
The platform is designed not only as an exhibition but also as a commercial bridge linking Afro-Caribbean excellence with global markets and investors.
As preparations intensify for the 2026 edition, organisers said AMP remains committed to building a sustainable ecosystem where commerce, culture, innovation and identity intersect to drive long-term global impact.
