Joel Ajayi

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation have announced plans to organise the maiden African Global Fashion Games (AGFG), a fashion ‘Olympics’.

Through the AFROLIGAZA Initiative, Nigeria seeks to elevate the continent’s fashion economy from its current estimated value of $30 billion to $500 billion, powered by structured investments, innovation, and global collaboration.

Speaking at a World Press Conference on the African Fashion Renaissance, themed AFROLIGANZA – Confederation of African Fashion and African Global Fashion Games (AGFG), the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the initiative as a turning point for Africa and the world at large.

Musawa, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signaled Nigeria’s formal adoption of the Afroliganza vision.

The event, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning Africa’s fashion industry as a key driver of the global creative economy. 

According to her, African Fashion Renaissance, known as Afroliganza, is a continental vision pioneered by the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, under the leadership of Dr. Balogun Lai Labode.
“The initiative unites African nations through fashion, culture, and creative enterprise, with a mission to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.

“At its core, Afroliganza institutionalizes African creativity through policy, diplomacy, trade, and public celebration, creating sustainable frameworks that empower designers, artisans, producers, and storytellers across the continent.
“Nigeria’s adoption of the Afroliganza vision marks a national commitment to placing culture, fashion, heritage, and creativity at the heart of the country’s engagement with Africa and the world.

“This aligns with the Ministry’s strategic plan to expand Nigeria’s influence across the creative economy—within national borders and across the continent.

Highlighting the benefits, the Minister explained that CAFA’s objectives include: Integrating Africa’s fashion industries by linking national fashion federations and Driving industrial development and creative enterprise to grow the fashion economy from $30 billion to $500 billion;

Musawa noted that fashion is a universal language, and Africa’s contribution to global culture through fabric, colour, silhouette, and symbolism is already undeniable.

She further revealed that Africa currently exports textiles, cotton, apparel, and footwear valued at $15.5 billion annually, while imports total approximately $23.1 billion.According to her, global demand for African couture and textiles has surged by over 40 percent, proving that “the world is not only inspired by Africa but ready to buy from it.”

 “Today, we move from inspiration to ownership  from fragmented expression to formal diplomacy,” Musawa declared.“Fashion will now serve as a strategic instrument for building cultural ties, influencing global narratives, and asserting Africa’s creative sovereignty.”

The Minister also announced that the Ministry would establish the Nigerian Fashion Federation, a national coordinating platform that will collaborate with state governments and industry stakeholders to promote Nigerian fashion in line with CAFA’s continental framework.

In his remarked, Earlier, pioneer of the African Fashion Renaissance and founder of the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, Dr. Balogun Lai Labode explained that Afroliganza aims to create a values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage and led by African institutions.
He revealed that a calendar of events leading up to the maiden African Global Fashion Games (AGFG) in 2027 would soon be released.

According to him, other African countries — including those represented by the African Union — are expected to join the initiative, with a secretariat already established in Lagos to coordinate its activities.

 “All African countries that sign the CAFA Charter will establish their own national fashion federations linked to the continental framework,” Labode said.

“The African Global Fashion Games will showcase the very best of African fashion while connecting the continent to global markets and investment opportunities.”

He added that the AGFG will be a nine-day biennial event, featuring a parade of nations, runway shows, a trade fair, industry summit, and awards ceremony. The Games will be organized by the African Global Fashion Games Federation (AGFGF)  a public-private partnership comprising a board, technical committees, and an advisory council.

The event was attended by government officials, entrepreneurs, fashion industry leaders, creative professionals, and members of the diplomatic community, signaling strong support for a united, prosperous, and globally recognized African fashion economy.

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