Creative Industry
Nigeria and UAE Strengthen Ties, Explore New Opportunities in Tourism and Culture
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has emphasized the importance of empowering Nigeria as a gateway country to the black global community, highlighting the UAE’s support in achieving this goal.
The Minister made this known in Abuja on Wednesday when she met with the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Nigeria H.E. Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi, to discuss ways to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.
She congratulated Sheikha, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, on her historic appointment as the first female Secretary-General, noting that she is opening doors for women, inclusivity, and the power of the global south.
“It is very important for us now, as a country and as a gateway country to the black global community, to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence. Tourism now is power.
“We all know the importance of Tourism globally but we need to have a more curative relationship with the United Arab Emirates. We want to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence,” Minister Musawa said.
Minister Musawa highlighted Dubai’s success in transforming tourism and the potential for alignment between Nigeria and UAE in tourism and culture.
Earlier, H.E. Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi welcomed the proposals and expressed commitment to strengthening ties.
“The UAE has become one of the top five industrial countries so let us find a common interest in culture and tourism to build a stronger relationship. I invite the Ministry to Abu Dhabi to see the development in Dubai to explore specific areas of cooperation in tourism and culture,” the Ambassador said.
The discussion also touched on Sheikha’s upcoming visit to Nigeria and potential cooperation in culture, tourism, and creative industries.
The UAE plans to invest in Nigeria’s film, music, and fashion industries. The Minister invited UAE officials to explore cooperation areas and assured them of Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties.
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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