Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

8 hours ago

November 1, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.

Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.

CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.

The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.

CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.

CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.

“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.

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Creative Industry

President Tinubu Hails NTDA DG for Innovative Approach to Tourism Promotion

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has commended the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Ola Awakan, for his innovative use of immersive storytelling as a fresh and effective way to promote Nigeria’s tourism potential.

The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the NTDA Director-General to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

Tinubu praised Awakan’s initiatives in collaboration, innovation and immersive storytelling within his first year in office noting that such creative approaches are needed to better showcase the country’s tourism assets and attract global attention.

During the visit, Awakan secured the President’s endorsement for Nigeria’s participation at the 2026 World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

Speaking, Awakan observed that, “the platform will enable us to showcase the country’s destinations, build strategic partnerships and attract investment into the sector as part of broader efforts to strengthen tourism’s contribution to economic diversification.”

The NTDA Boss also briefed the President on the Authority’s ongoing initiatives to position tourism as a key driver of employment generation, investment attraction, and national development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Discussions also focused on the reactivation of the Presidential Council on Tourism and other measures to restructure the sector.

As part of the visit, Awakan decorated the President with the NTDA Tourism Ambassador muffler in recognition of his contributions to tourism development. He also presented a publication titled Tourism as a Strategic Instrument for Economic Diversification and National Development.

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