The complete lineup for NECLive 2025 has been unveiled, revealing an unprecedented gathering of Nigeria’s most influential creative industry leaders set to converge on the Landmark Event Centre on Friday, November 28 2025.
MultiChoice Nigeria CEO John Ugbe, X3M Ideas founder Steve Babaeko, and FilmHouse Group co-founder and Group CEO Kene Okwuosa headline a roster of over 40 industry titans who will lead conversations on NECLive 2025 theme; “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise” at West Africa’s largest creative industry conference.
NECLive 2025, organized by Nigerian Entertainment Today and Africa Creative Foundation, brings together an unparalleled mix of media executives, filmmakers, music leaders, tech innovators, government officials, and investment experts—all tasked with charting the future of Africa’s $4.2 billion creative economy.
“This lineup represents the full ecosystem of Nigeria’s creative economy,” said Ayeni Adekunle, NECLive Founder and Convener. “From the CEOs making multi-billion naira decisions to filmmakers breaking box office records, from the tech innovators building platforms to the traditional custodians preserving culture—everyone shaping our industry’s future will be in the room.”
This year’s edition of West Africa’s premier creative industry conference will convene under the theme “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.”
NECLive has established itself as the leading platform for entertainment and creative industry discourse in West Africa. Since its inception in 2013, the conference has hosted over 500 industry experts, attracted more than 100,000 participants, and facilitated over 1,000 deals and partnerships. The event has reached audiences exceeding 100 million people across 50+ countries.
Nigeria’s creative economy currently contributes approximately 2.3% to the nation’s GDP, valued at over $4.2 billion annually. Despite significant global recognition for Nollywood and Afrobeats, the sector continues to face infrastructure challenges, limited funding access, inadequate intellectual property protection, and distribution network constraints.
“We’re witnessing unprecedented global recognition for African creative talents,” said Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of NECLive. “This year’s conference focuses on building the infrastructure, policies, and business frameworks needed to translate this momentum into sustainable economic power and demonstrate how creative enterprise can drive Nigeria and Africa’s economic transformation.”
NECLive 2025 is brought to you by Netng and the Africa Creative Foundation. It will be hosted by media personalities Bolanle Olukanni and Tee A.
MultiChoice Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, The Macallan, and many other leading supporters of the African creative industry have confirmed participation. Over 40 experts are scheduled as discussants, keynote speakers, and performers.
NECLive 2025 will include policy advocacy sessions, business development workshops, networking opportunities, innovation showcases, and performance platforms.
Registration is now open for various participant categories, including industry professionals, speakers, performers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and media representatives. Interested parties can register and explore partnership opportunities at www.nec.ng
The conference aims to provide practical solutions for scaling African creative businesses globally while engaging policymakers on implementing frameworks that support sustainable creative enterprise development.
