FG inaugurates committee to launch Confederation of African Fashion

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has inaugurated a working committee to unveil the Confederation of African Fashion (CAF), also known as Afroliganza, a continental initiative aimed at transforming Africa’s fashion industry.

The Confederation seeks to create a unified platform for African nations to collaborate in developing and implementing policies that will elevate the continent’s fashion economy from its current $30 billion valuation to $500 billion. It also targets an increase in Africa’s share of the global fashion market from 1.2 percent to a more significant figure.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the initiative represents a milestone in the ministry’s efforts to position Nigeria and Africa as global leaders in fashion and creativity.

“We are committed to working with the private sector to deliver on our promises and create opportunities for Nigerian creatives. This committee will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our creative industry and ensuring that it contributes to the nation’s economic growth,” Musawa said.

The Minister added that the committee’s work will be inclusive, representing the diverse interests of stakeholders across the creative sector. “We want to capitalize on the opportunities available in fashion and create a framework that will benefit all Nigerians,” she noted.

The project coordinator and founder of Afroliganza, Dr. Lai Labode, said the Confederation of African Fashion would propel the continent’s fashion industry to unprecedented levels.

“This development is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to promoting creative industries and economic growth. The Confederation will drive industrialization, raw material processing, and job creation across the fashion value chain—from cotton and leather to wood and metal,” he said.

Labode added that the Confederation will also introduce a Fashion Extravaganza where African countries can compete and showcase their creativity, with the maiden edition scheduled to hold in Abuja and Egypt in 2026.

The newly inaugurated committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry and the creative sector, will focus on developing a comprehensive framework to grow Nigeria’s fashion industry. Its key priorities include talent development, infrastructure improvement, access to funding, and market expansion.