CANEX Creative Writing Workshop (Fully Funded Residency)
CANEX Creative Writing Workshop 2026: Fully Funded Residency in Lagos for Emerging African and Caribbean Writers
The African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) invites emerging writers of African and Caribbean descent to apply for the 2026 CANEX Creative Writing Workshop.
The workshop is a five-day, in-person literary residency in Lagos, Nigeria, focused on creative writing, publishing, industry literacy, and professional development.
Benefits of the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop
The 20 selected writers will receive:
- Masterclasses with acclaimed authors and publishing professionals
- Creative writing workshops focused on fiction and creative nonfiction
- Practical sessions on the business and legal aspects of writing
- Peer learning and feedback opportunities
- A certificate of completion
- Attendance at CANEX WKND 2026
- Covered travel, accommodation, and feeding
- Translation services in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish
Eligibility Requirements for the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African Union or CARICOM member country, including writers in the diaspora
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid passport
- Be an emerging writer working on a fiction or creative nonfiction project
- Be available for the full programme in Lagos
- Submit a 500-word writing sample
- Provide proof of citizenship through a passport data page
Previous participants of the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop are not eligible to apply. This edition is open to prose fiction and creative nonfiction writers; poets, screenwriters, playwrights, and academic writers are not eligible.
Previous publication is not required. Writers published in journals, magazines, blogs, or online platforms, as well as self-published writers, may apply.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A 500-word writing sample in fiction or creative nonfiction
- Valid proof of citizenship from an African Union or CARICOM member country
Applications may be submitted in any language.
Important Dates
- Applications open: July 14, 2026
- Application deadline: July 28, 2026
- Arrival in Lagos: October 31, 2026
- Workshop: November 1–4, 2026
- CANEX WKND attendance: November 5–6, 2026
- Closing reception: Evening of November 6, 2026
- Departure: November 7, 2026
There is no application or participation fee. Selected participants will have their travel, accommodation, and feeding covered.
Interested writers should register through the CANEX WKND platform and follow the application instructions. For questions, contact canexworkshop@
Prepare Your Best Application
Not sure where to begin with your writing sample or literary prep? These resources will help:
Deadline to apply: July 28, 2026. Apply early and thoughtfully.
