Event
Launch of UNESCO’s new report on the African fashion sector
The fashion sector in Africa is brimming with opportunities, driven by the rise of the middle class, a young and growing population, rapid urbanization, and the emergence of digital technologies. The talent and creativity of African designers, who often draw their inspiration from traditional know-how and techniques, bring concrete economic benefits to communities while actively contributing to reshaping narratives about the continent. However, despite a growing recognition of the African fashion industry's potential and ongoing efforts to strengthen its complex ecosystem, several challenges remain, including a lack of investment and infrastructure, limited educational and training systems, insufficient intellectual property protection, as well as difficulties in accessing new markets and sourcing quality materials at an affordable price.
Against this backdrop, UNESCO’s new report identifies the main trends and challenges of fashion, textile and fine crafts sector in the region to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to unleash its full potential.
The report will be launched on 26 October 2023 at the prestigious Lagos Fashion Week in Nigeria. The event will include a roundtable discussion with internationally renowned figures and entrepreneurs who will explore the role of African fashion designers as catalysts of sustainable development.
Registration
To participate in the launch event (in-person or online), please register !
The event is open to the public according to availability of seats. For in-person attendance to the event, identification will be requested at the entrance of the venue:
The Right Wing Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos 101241 Nigeria
PROGRAMME
Launch ceremony 11:00 – 11:30
Greetings and welcome from Omoyemi Akerele, Founder | Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week
Welcoming remarks by H.E. Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education
Opening remarks by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
- Video projection: Presentation of the UNESCO report on the African fashion sector
High-level Roundtable 11:30 – 12:30
Powering the fashion ecosystem:
African designers as catalysts for change
Speakers: Reni Abina, Imane Ayissi, Nelly Hagen-Deegbe, Nkwo Onwuka, Lulu Shabell, Moulaye Tabouré, Mossi Traoré
Moderation: Omoyemi Akerele (Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week) and Toussaint Tiendrebeogo (Chief of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions Entity of UNESCO)
Cocktail reception 12:30 – 14:00
Join the event online
This study is part of a series of reports produced by UNESCO on the dynamic creative economy in Africa and follows the report “”
