Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS) 2026

The Law is Creative: Africa’s
Creative Legal Future

Africa’s premier summit uniting lawyers and creatives to build the legal infrastructure for music, film, gaming, e-sports, visual arts and fashion.

Join Africa’s Top Creative & Legal Minds

Countdown

Countdown to Africa’s Creative Legal Future

About the Global Creative Legal Summit

Shaping Law, Empowering Creativity

What it is

The Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS) 2026 is a landmark event at the intersection of law and Africa’s creative economy. Hosted under the Africa Creative Market (ACM) in Lusaka, Zambia, it brings together lawyers, musicians, filmmakers, designers and policymakers for a focused programme dedicated to building the legal systems that will protect, empower and grow Africa’s creative industries.

Who It Is For

GCLS 2026 is designed for lawyers and creatives working across Africa’s creative economy. For lawyers, it offers professional development, networking and thought leadership. For creatives, it provides access to legal knowledge, practical guidance and the professionals who can protect their work across music, film, fashion, visual arts, gaming and e-sports.

Why it matters

Africa’s creative economy is growing rapidly, yet remains largely underprotected. GCLS 2026 introduces a critical legal conversation for the region, bringing together stakeholders to shape real solutions. Attendees will experience a live mock trial, policy discussions, legal aid clinics and the launch of platforms connecting lawyers and creatives across the continent.

The Journey

The Evolution of GCLS

01 GCLS 2024

GCLS 2024 — Inaugural Edition Where Law Met the Creative Industry

Sept 17th-20th 2024

Lagos, Nigeria

02 GCLS 2025

GCLS 2025 — Building Momentum Training Africa’s Creative Legal Talent

Sep 19th, 2025

Lagos, Nigeria

Who GCLS Is For

GCLS 2026 brings together the people shaping Africa’s creative and legal landscape. From lawyers building specialized practices to creatives seeking protection for their work, the summit is designed for those driving growth across music, film, fashion, visual arts, gaming and beyond.

Whether you are advising, creating, regulating or investing, GCLS offers the knowledge, connections and opportunities needed to thrive in the evolving creative economy.

Creative Economy Lawyers

Young and senior legal practitioners building expertise in the creative economy

Music Industry Professionals

Musicians, recording artists and stakeholders shaping Africa’s music landscape

Film & Content Creators

Filmmakers, producers, directors and creators across film and digital media.

Fashion & Creative Brands

Designers, creative directors and brand owners in fashion and lifestyle

Law Students & Graduates

Emerging legal professionals exploring careers in creative economy law

Government & Policy Makers

Officials driving policy in arts, culture and the creative economy

International Partners

Organisations, embassies and development partners supporting the sector

Business & Technology Leaders

Banks, tech companies and brands enabling creative industry growth

How It Works

WHY ATTEND

01. Be in the room where history is made

GCLS 2026 is the first summit of its kind in Zambia, establishing a new legal conversation for the region’s creative economy

02. Watch a live cross-border mock trial

The Co-Production Collapse puts African creative law into dramatic real-world action — three countries, three legal systems, one verdict

03. Shape real legislation

Participate in or observe the policy roundtable examining Zambia’s Copyright Bill, with recommendations formally submitted to government

04. Free legal advice for creatives

Legal Aid Clinics run across four days, giving musicians, filmmakers and fashion designers direct access to qualified lawyers at no cost

05. Connect with Africa’s creative legal community

Meet lawyers, creatives, government officials and international partners from across the continent under one roof

06. Witness two landmark platform launches

Be present for the official unveiling of the ELH and ACEL platforms, transforming how creative law is accessed and practiced across Africa

07. Build your legal practice

Lawyers gain CPD-worthy sessions including panels, a fireside chat, a hands-on contracts workshop and the chance to serve as counsel in the mock trial

03. Launch and track

Your assistant will learn about your business, how you like to work, and tools you like to use.

Our Process

WHAT TO EXPECT

Engage in a carefully curated programme bringing together leading voices from law and the creative industries. Through sessions, workshops and conversations, participants gain valuable knowledge, connections and real-world perspectives.

Satisfaction Rate

0 %

01

Keynote Address

Opening the main programme day for all delegates

02

GCLS Mock Trial

"The Co-Production Collapse" — a live 2-hour cross-border African film dispute with three legal systems in conflict

03

Policy Roundtable

Examining Zambia's Copyright Bill (3 hours, lawyers + government + industry representatives)

04

Panel Sessions

2 panels for lawyers covering practice identity and AfCFTA cross-border trade law

05

Fireside Chat

Cross-border deals in African Music, Film and Fashion — frank conversation with leading lawyers

06

Lawyer Workshop

How to function as a cross-border lawyer in the creative economy

07

Creative Workshops

3 sector-specific 90-minute workshops for Visual Artists & Performers, Filmmakers and Fashion Designers

08

Free Legal Aid Clinics

Running across June 30 through July 3 — 15-minute walk-in consultations at no cost

09

Platform Launches

ELH and ACEL officially unveiled

10

African Creative Lawyers Communique

A continental declaration signed and formally submitted to government.

SPEAKERS / PARTNERS

Featuring senior African creative economy lawyers, government representatives, music, film and fashion industry leaders, and international legal experts from across the continent and beyond. Speaker announcements coming soon