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
By Joshua Olomu
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’.
The announcement was made at an unveiling dinner and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the foundation for the African Fashion Renaissance initiative on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Fashion Renaissance, also known as ‘Afroliganza’, is an initiative that unites African nations through fashion, culture, and creative enterprise.
According to the parties, the AGFG is a flagship programme of the ‘Afroliganza’ that will bring national teams and independent global designers together on a single, spectacular stage.
They said the event would serve as a platform for competition, collaborations and transactions to grow Africa’s fashion economy and generate measurable trade and investment flows into the continent through the sector.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, said the MoU signaled Nigeria’s formal adoption of the Afroliganza vision.
“The African Global Fashion Games will be the first continental fashion competition and celebration of its kind.
“It is a convergence of innovation, heritage, and economic power as participating nations, designers, and youth innovators will compete not merely for prestige, but for the right to shape Africa’s creative identity and global image.
“Through the frameworks launched today under Afroliganza and Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA), we project this sector to exceed 500 billion dollars in value, with Nigeria positioned at the forefront of this transformation.
“Fashion is a universal language and Africa’s contribution to the world in fabric, colour, silhouette, and symbolism is already undeniable,” she said
The minister said that Africa exports textiles, cotton, apparel, and footwear valued at roughly 15.5 billion dollars annually, while its imports total about 23.1 billion dollars.
According to her, global demand for African couture and textiles is rising by over 40 per cent, attesting that the world is not only inspired by Africa, but also ready to buy from it.
“Nigeria’s adoption of this vision signals a national commitment to place culture, fashion, heritage, and the creative economy at the heart of our engagement with Africa and the world.
“It aligns with our Ministry’s strategic plan to expand Nigeria’s influence across the creative economy, not just within our borders, but across Africa and beyond.
“As the first country to sign the CAFA charter, we are transforming commitment into action through institutions, policies, and programmes that translate vision into measurable outcomes.
“Today we move from inspiration to ownership, from fragmented expression to formal diplomacy as fashion will now serve as a strategic instrument for building cultural ties, influencing global narratives, and asserting Africa’s creative sovereignty.”
Musawa said the ministry would establish the Nigerian Fashion Federation, a national coordinating platform that will collaborate with state governments and other stakeholders.
She said that this would also promote Nigerian fashion in alignment with CAFA’s continental framework.
Earlier, Dr Balogun Labode, pioneer of the African Fashion Renaissance, said ‘Afroliganza’ seeks to build a values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions and positioned for global impact.
He said a calendar that presents the path to various activities up until 2027, when the maiden AGFG is scheduled to be held, would soon be released.
According to him, other African countries, including those represented by the African Union, are expected to support the project, and a secretariat has been established in Lagos to coordinate its activities.
“All African countries that are expected to sign the charter will have their own fashion federations that will feed off the confederation of African fashion policies and protocols.
“The African Global Fashion Games is where you’re going to see a lot of competition as Africa comes together and connects the world.
“The competition will showcase the very best of Africa fashion and also connect us to money in the industry, “he said.
According to Labode, the AGFG will continue as a 9-day biennial event, featuring the opening parade of nations, runways, trade fair, industry summit and awards.
He said the event would be organised by the African Global Fashion Games Federation (AGFGF), a public/private board, technical committees and advisory council.
NAN reports that government functionaries, entrepreneurs, fashion enthusiasts and members of the diplomatic community were among stakeholders present at the event. (NAN)(www.nannews,ng)