The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of the CANEX WKND Junior Chef Competition, inviting young Nigerian culinary talents to compete for a place on one of Africa’s biggest creative stages.

According to a press release issued by Afreximbank, the competition is open to aspiring chefs aged 16 to 21 and will culminate at CANEX WKND 2026, scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 5 to 8. Applications opened on June 5 and will close on June 26 through the official CANEX platform.

Now in its second edition, the competition follows its debut during the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, where Fatma Zohra Bendjelida emerged as the inaugural winner. This year, organisers are turning the spotlight on Nigeria’s next generation of culinary talents.

The organisers said eight young chefs will earn places on the live competition stage in Lagos, where they will be challenged to transform Africa’s culinary heritage into original creations that celebrate the continent’s flavours, traditions and stories while showcasing innovation and creativity.

The selection process will involve multiple stages, beginning with the shortlisting of applicants before a semi-final round of live cooking sessions judged by an independent panel of culinary experts from across Africa and the Caribbean. Contestants will be assessed on creativity and innovation, technical ability, plating and presentation, use of local ingredients and their capacity to tell cultural stories through food.

Speaking on the launch of the competition, Afreximbank’s Director of Intra-African Trade and Export Development (Creatives and Diaspora), Temwa Gondwe, highlighted the role of gastronomy in Africa’s growing creative economy.

“The CANEX Junior Chef Competition reflects Afreximbank’s commitment to Africa’s creative economy, by investing in the talent and enterprises that will define its future,” Gondwe said.

“Africa’s gastronomy is among the world’s richest, yet most underexplored assets. It is a living expression of our heritage, ingredients and stories, and a commercial sector with the power to drive tourism, create jobs, strengthen local food supply chains and open new markets for African cuisine. Through CANEX, we are turning culinary creativity into enterprise.”

According to the press release, the competition forms part of CANEX’s broader mission to establish gastronomy as a key pillar of Africa’s creative economy while nurturing emerging talents and promoting food as a driver of cultural expression and commercial opportunity.

Selected participants will receive mentorship opportunities, industry exposure and access to leading chefs and stakeholders within the sector. Organisers added that the top three winners will be rewarded with cash prizes, certificates and trophies.

To qualify, applicants must be between 16 and 21 years old, live or work in Nigeria and be willing to travel to Lagos for CANEX WKND 2026. The competition is open to aspiring chefs, culinary students and self-taught food creatives.

Afreximbank said the initiative is designed to create pathways for young Africans to transform culinary talent into sustainable enterprise opportunities while helping elevate African cuisine on the global stage. (Arise News)