CANEX Junior Chefs Competition 2026 — Afreximbank (Nigeria)

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. The competition is part of CANEX's broader mission to establish gastronomy as one of the defining pillars of Africa's creative economy, nurturing talent and advancing food as an engine of cultural expression and commerce.

Eight aspiring young chefs will earn their place on the live stage at CANEX WKND in Lagos, where they will transform African culinary heritage into bold, signature creations.

What's on Offer:

• Visibility, mentorship, and connections with leading chefs and sector stakeholders, with pathways to translate culinary talent into enterprise opportunities
• Top three winners receive cash prizes ($3,000 in total prizes), certificates, and trophies
• Judged on creativity and innovation, technical skill, plating and presentation, ingenuity in the use of local ingredients, and ability to tell cultural stories through food

How It Works: Shortlisted applicants advance to a semi-final round of live cooking sessions before an independent jury of culinary leaders from across Africa and the Caribbean, before the grand finale at CANEX WKND 2026.

Requirements:

• Be within the eligible age range of 16–21 years
• Must live or work in any part of Nigeria and be willing to travel to Lagos for CANEX WKND 2026
• Open to aspiring chefs, culinary students, and self-taught food creatives
• Parental or guardian consent required where applicable

Event Date: CANEX WKND 2026, Lagos, Nigeria — November 5–8, 2026

Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

Apply/More Info: https://wknd.canex.africa/newfront/junior-chefs-competition-2026