Creative Industry
Ministry of Art and Culture, Fashion Academy, Launch Call for Entries for Designer Training
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with The Fashion Academy Abuja, has launched a call for entries for its prestigious designer training program under the Creative Leap Acceleration Program (CLAP).
This initiative aims to empower emerging designers, tailors, and creative entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry.
The training program will cover two key areas: Pattern Making & Professional Sewing Techniques as well as Fashion Business & Branding. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and business development sessions, participants will gain the practical skills and industry insights needed to scale their operations and contribute to Nigeria’s creative economy.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that it will help build a skilled workforce and position Nigeria as a leader in fashion innovation across Africa.
“Our creative industry holds immense potential, and this collaboration withThe Fashion Academy Abuja is a bold step towards building a skilledworkforce and positioning Nigeria as a leader in fashion innovation acrossAfrica.”
The Director of The Fashion Academy Abuja, Nina Kwande, also praised the partnership, highlighting its potential to nurture talent, foster entrepreneurship, and provide access to industry-ready training.
“We are excited to work with the Ministry to nurture talent, fosterentrepreneurship, and provide access to industry‑ready training that trulymakes a difference”.
Interested and eligible creatives can apply for the training program via https://clap.gov.ng/
Applications open on August 4, 2025, and close on August 11, 2025. For eligibility criteria, required documents, and the application form, please visit the CLAP website.
Creative Industry
CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 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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