Sterling Bank has renewed its partnership with the Aké Arts and Book Festival ahead of the event’s 14th edition, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 19 to 21, 2026, with discussions centred on African knowledge, cultural identity and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

The three-day festival, themed Native Intelligence, will examine how traditional African knowledge systems can contribute to conversations about technological advancement and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into everyday life.

The theme explores the relationship between indigenous African knowledge, preserved through generations of storytelling, proverbs and communal experiences, and modern AI technologies shaping communication, education, politics and other aspects of society.

It also raises questions about the representation of African languages, histories and cultural experiences in artificial intelligence systems, particularly as such technologies become increasingly influential across the world.

Sterling Bank, which has supported the festival since 2018, said its continued involvement reflects its commitment to promoting creativity, intellectual development and platforms that amplify African ideas.

Over the years, the festival has brought together more than 1,000 writers, artists, scholars and other creative professionals, providing opportunities for emerging and established voices to showcase African stories and engage with global audiences.

Commenting on the partnership, Sterling Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Donatus Okpako, said African societies had long developed their own systems of intelligence, knowledge and problem-solving, which deserved recognition in the evolving technological landscape.

He noted that as artificial intelligence increasingly influences banking, education, elections and other areas of human activity, it was important for African perspectives to contribute to the development of the technologies shaping the future.

According to him, the festival provides an important platform for placing African ideas at the centre of international conversations.

The 2026 edition will feature novelists, poets, journalists, technologists, filmmakers and academics examining issues surrounding knowledge production, cultural representation and the influence of technology on society.

Founder and Director of the Aké Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneyin, said the theme was intended to draw attention to the limited representation of African experiences in the information used to develop artificial intelligence systems.

She explained that Native Intelligence would explore questions about who determines what constitutes knowledge, which histories and experiences are preserved, and whose perspectives shape emerging technologies.

Shoneyin also welcomed Sterling Bank’s continued support, noting that the partnership aligns with the festival’s commitment to celebrating and advancing creative expression across Africa and beyond.