Culture and Tourism

Cultural Boost, As Face Of Epic Africa Pageantry Launched In Abuja

Published

5 years ago

July 7, 2021

Joel Ajayi

A contest aimed at celebrating diverse cultural endowments of African countries and also to showcase their uniqueness to a global audience has begun formally in Nigeria.

Also, the organizers say the contest is to bring back the lost glory of African culture and exhibit their innate and outward beauty.

The face of epic Africa pageantry 2021, the premier edition, which kicked off over the weekend to a grand finale date, come November this year , is already generating waves among young, beautiful girls across Africa, with many jostling to contest for honours at the event.

Speaking at the press conference, on Sunday in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer CEO Face of epic Africa 2021, Mr Ojo Anthony, said the project is envisioned to encourage young African girls between the ages of 18 and 28 to showcase their culture, intelligence, family values and knowledge on African culture, as well as other unique values.

He said the contest will go a long way in bringing back the lost glory of Africa’s culture to the continent.

Mr. Anthony revealed that face of epic Africa pageantry is a rare platform uniquely packaged to enable young African girls display their beauty, elegance, artistic skills, intelligence, leadership qualities and deep knowledge of cultural heritage.

According to him, we want to teach them the value of Africa, we are looking at the cultural aspect of Africa, where we have the Zulu of South Africa, Asantee of Ghana, three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, amongst others, to promote our culture.

“We want an event that will make the contestants independent even after the contest. The winner, 1st and 2nd runners up will work with our company for one year to have more knowledge about self-esteem.

We are doing this, just to bring back the African culture, the western culture has eaten into us that we have forgotten the Africa culture, the damage European life has done to us is more than good.

On her own, the pageantry communicator of face of epic Africa, Eneh Gold, while giving hint on the modality of the event, said: “there are arrangements to camp the contestants for ten days and its open to all Africans ladies from 18-28 years, we are going to train and groom them on how to become a queen.

“We are expecting close to 20 contestants, and in every beauty pageant there is always a star prize, we have everything in place, we intend to give a car and other prizes for 1st and second runner up and also, we have consolation prizes for all our contestants.

When asked how to communicate with other African countries? She replied: “We have social media to communicate with them, a platform to get them registered with a N5000 registration fee.”

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

1 week ago

November 1, 2026

The Gleamer

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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