🎨 GRAPHIC DESIGN🎬 FILMMAKING📸 PHOTOGRAPHY🎵 MUSIC✍️ WRITING👗 FASHION📱 CONTENT CREATION🎮 GAME DEVELOPMENT🏛 ARCHITECTURE🎭 PERFORMING ARTS🎙 PODCASTING✨ ANIMATION🖌 VISUAL ARTS💻 DIGITAL MEDIA🎨 GRAPHIC DESIGN🎬 FILMMAKING📸 PHOTOGRAPHY🎵 MUSIC✍️ WRITING👗 FASHION📱 CONTENT CREATION🎮 GAME DEVELOPMENT🏛 ARCHITECTURE🎭 PERFORMING ARTS🎙 PODCASTING✨ ANIMATION🖌 VISUAL ARTS💻 DIGITAL MEDIA
TOOLZ
ABOUT THE EXPO
AFRICA'S PREMIER CREATIVE EXPO
TOOLZ flips the script on how the creative economy has always worked. For years, creatives have been the ones exhibiting — taking their work to brand activations, corporate events, and consumer expos where they perform, display, and hope to be discovered. TOOLZ reverses that dynamic entirely.
At TOOLZ, the tools, platforms, financial products, and resources come to the creatives. The brands that want access to Africa's most talented and commercially active creative community have to show up, build something meaningful, and earn their place in the room. TOOLZ is the one moment in the year where the infrastructure moves toward the creative — not the other way around.
JOHANNESBURG
November 2027
3 DAYS
Of programming
R150 ENTRY
Per person
🎨
CREATIVE ECONOMY
Connecting Africa's fastest-growing sector — from film and fashion to tech and music.
🛠
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Every tool, resource, and service a creative professional needs — under one roof.
🌍
MADE FOR AFRICA
Built by Africans, for Africans. TOOLZ celebrates and elevates the continent's creative talent.
🤝
COMMUNITY FIRST
More than an expo — a movement rooted in 15 years of Creative Nestlings' community work.
BY THE #S
BY THE NUMBERS
THE SCALE OF TOOLZ 2027
1
10,000+
AFRICAN CREATIVES
Expected attendees
2
R100M+
FUNDING AVAILABLE
On-site to apply for
3
16
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
All CCi sectors represented
4
5
EXHIBITION ZONES
Curated experience zones
5
100+
EXHIBITORS
Brands & companies
6
8
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Expert-led sessions
05
THE 5 EXHIBITION ZONES
EVERY TOOL YOU NEED
Five zones, each targeting a critical need for African creatives. Tap any zone to explore.
Z1
Z1 — PHYSICAL CREATIVE TOOLS
HARDWARE
Cameras, devices, editing stations and production equipment — demo and buy on-site.
↓ TAP TO EXPLORE
Z2
Z2 — DIGITAL TOOLS & PLATFORMS
SOFTWARE
Digital tools, AI, design platforms and workflow software for every creative discipline.
↓ TAP TO EXPLORE
Z3
Z3 — FINANCE & OPERATIONS
BUSINESS
Banking, payments, legal services, finance and business operations built for creatives.
↓ TAP TO EXPLORE
Z4
Z4 — WORKSHOPS & SKILLS
EDUCATION
Free workshops, masterclasses, financial literacy sessions and IP clinics running all weekend.
↓ TAP TO EXPLORE
Z5
Z5 — FUNDERS & OPPORTUNITY
INVESTMENT
Funders, grants, record labels, galleries and film commissioners — all in one zone.
↓ TAP TO EXPLORE
15 YEARS
WHY WE'RE DOING THIS
15 YEARS IN THE MAKING
🌍
AFRICA IS READY
The African creative economy is projected to reach $20 billion. Our creatives need a home-grown platform to lead it.
⏳
15 YEARS IN THE MAKING
We didn't rush this. Every connection, every event, every creative we've supported has been preparation for TOOLZ.
🔥
THE MOVEMENT IS NOW
A new generation of African creatives are building global brands from Johannesburg. We are here to amplify that energy.
🤝
THE ECOSYSTEM EXISTS
For the first time, the partners, the venues, the community, and the infrastructure are all in place to do this at scale.
2010
Creative Nestlings founded
Born from a desire to give African creatives a platform and a voice.
2015
5 years of community building
Hundreds of creatives supported, mentored, and connected across Gauteng.
2020
A decade of impact
Through lockdowns and setbacks, the creative community proved its resilience.
2025
15 years. Time to go bigger.
The vision was always the expo. Now the timing, the team, and the moment are aligned.
WHO
WHO THIS IS FOR
IF YOU CREATE, THIS IS YOUR EXPO.
No gatekeeping. No suits-only. TOOLZ is the expo where Africa's next generation of creative professionals get the tools, the connections, and the bag.
🎵
THE MUSICIANS
You're making heat in your bedroom. Come find the equipment, distribution deals, and investors who'll take you global.
🎬
THE FILMMAKERS
From short films to full features — find cameras, editors, funders, and brands ready to collaborate on your next project.
✏️
THE DESIGNERS
Graphic, fashion, interior, digital — if you create visually, TOOLZ has the software, hardware, and clients you need.
📱
THE CONTENT CREATORS
You've built a following. Now monetise it properly. Discover brand deals, tools, and strategies to turn views into income.
🚀
THE HUSTLERS
Self-taught, no degree, just talent and drive. TOOLZ was built for you — access funding, mentorship, and real opportunities.
💡
THE ENTREPRENEURS
Your creative skills are a business. Come build it — meet investors, get legal advice, and connect with the ecosystem.