RMB Latitudes 2026: Nigeria Focus
In 2026, RMB Latitudes will introduce a Nigeria Focus, a dedicated platform bringing some of the most exciting contemporary Nigerian art and cultural practice to South Africa.
The Nigeria Focus at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2026 brings together two of Africa’s most exciting art scenes: South Africa and Nigeria. For decades, South Africa and Nigeria have both produced groundbreaking artists, shaped global conversations, and driven continental innovation. However, artists have been limited by practical challenges, from the volatility of the Naira and Rand, to high shipping and travel costs, to the lack of straightforward cross-border trade mechanisms. These issues have restricted the movement of artworks, cultural practitioners, and ideas between the two nations.
The Nigeria Focus acknowledges these barriers, but more importantly, it offers a new way forward. Instead of treating Nigeria as a “guest country”, the Focus positions it as an equal partner, a creative centre in its own right, and a vital contributor to the future of African art.
This specially curated section of the fair will bring together Nigerian artists, designers, and cultural workers across generations and disciplines. It creates a space where South African and Nigerian practices can meet, speak to each other, and spark new forms of collaboration.
At the fair, audiences will encounter installations and presentations that explore curiosity, materiality, spirituality, and the lived realities of both countries. These works reflect the complex environments artists in both nations navigate, shaped by shared histories of colonialism, migration, religion, capitalism and vibrant urban cultures.
In this way, the Nigeria Focus becomes more than an exhibition. It acts as a test case for how African countries might work together more effectively - creatively, culturally and economically. It invites us to imagine a continental art ecosystem that is better connected, more supportive, and more sustainable for artists and institutions alike.
RMB's support and deep commitment to the cultural and creative economy makes them a vital partner in this work. Their cross-border presence in both Nigeria and South Africa allows them to be bridge-builders between two of Africa’s most dynamic markets.
More information, artist announcements, and programme details will be shared in the months ahead.
