The Mashariki Creative Economy Expo 2026, organized by Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA), will take place in Dar es Salaam from August 18-21, 2026.This event aims to unite designers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and publishers to showcase their talents and build regional business networks.

Key features include business workshops, legal aid for intellectual property protection, and training sessions to equip creatives with commercial skills.

The expo will introduce a legal help desk to assist with contract negotiations and copyright registration, addressing long-standing challenges for African artists.Organizers emphasize the importance of formal registration for creative works, supported by the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA).

The event seeks to position East Africa as a hub for creative innovation by connecting artists with investors and fostering cross-sector collaborations.Attendees will include investors, stakeholders, and the public, highlighting the region's artistic and economic potential.