The United States Embassy has visited the Arewa Fashion and Food Festival (AFFEST) in Kaduna, as the cultural and creative economy initiative continues to attract growing international recognition and interest.
The visit, hosted by Women Aware of Rights Initiative (WAR), the organisation behind AFFEST, provided an opportunity for representatives of the U.S. Embassy to experience the festival and engage with its vision of promoting Northern Nigeria’s fashion, food, art, heritage and creative talents.
According to the organisers, what started in Kaduna in 2023 has evolved into an international cultural platform connecting Northern Nigeria’s creative industry and cultural heritage with audiences beyond the country.
The festival is expected to be aired internationally across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Senegal, Ghana and the Republic of Benin.
The organisation said AFFEST was created from a desire to change the narrative about communities affected by violence by highlighting their creativity, resilience, talent and economic potential. WAR works with women and children affected by violence and sees the festival as a platform for communities to tell their stories through culture and enterprise.
WAR said AFFEST had grown significantly since its inception, attracting about 300 attendees in 2023 and approximately 800 guests in 2025, while more than 1,500 guests are expected at the 2026 edition.
The 2026 festival, scheduled for 6 and 7 November in Kaduna, will be held under the theme, “Rice & Rafter: One Arewa, Many Stories,” which celebrates food, shelter, culture, identity and community while showcasing the diversity of Northern Nigeria.
WAR described the U.S. Embassy visit as more than a courtesy engagement, saying it offered an opportunity to showcase Northern Nigeria as a region with rich cultural stories, diverse traditions and creative talents capable of engaging international audiences.
The organisation expressed appreciation to the U.S. Embassy for visiting AFFEST and experiencing its vision first-hand, adding that the 2026 edition is positioning the festival as a major international platform for cultural exchange, creative enterprise and storytelling while placing Northern Nigeria on the global cultural map.