By Ayomide otitoju
The Board of Directors of CANEX Creations Incorporated (CCInc), a subsidiary of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), has appointed Mr. Osahon Akpata as Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made during a board meeting held on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September.
Mr. Akpata previously served as Head of CANEX Creations within the Afreximbank Group, where he oversaw the entity’s operationalisation, strategic direction, governance framework, and initial investment pipeline. His earlier career spans leadership roles at Ecobank Group, McKinsey & Company, and Johnson & Johnson in the United States.
Beyond the corporate sector, Akpata has contributed to projects in film, television, publishing, and visual arts, earning recognition as a trusted advisor in Africa’s creative and entertainment industries. His works have also been published in Essence, Forbes, and Vogue Italia.
Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Chairperson of the CCInc Board, described his appointment as a natural progression. “The Board was very pleased to confirm him as CEO, particularly given the instrumental role he has played in building CCInc from the ground up and his proven ability to bridge investment expertise with deep knowledge of Africa’s creative and innovation economy,” she said.
In his remarks, Akpata expressed his commitment to advancing Africa’s creative economy. “CCInc is uniquely positioned to unlock the full value of African intellectual property by driving commercialization, building global partnerships, and delivering returns that benefit creators and economies alike,” he stated.
Akpata holds an MBA in Media Management from Columbia University, a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Nottingham Trent University, and a diploma in Strategic Partnerships from IMD Business School, Switzerland.
