French Embassy Launches Lagos x Paris Fashion Accelerator

The French Embassy in Nigeria has unveiled the “Lagos x Paris” Fashion and Design Accelerator, a pragmatic programme geared towards creative young people with promising projects.

The 9-month programme (from October 2023 to June 2024) is aimed at supporting 10 high-potential Nigerian brands within the fashion and design ecosystem.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The programme aims to highlight the economic benefits of the African and French cultural and creative industries, as well as to promote exchanges and links between cultures and peoples.

According to the statement, “the accelerator would provide close mentorship, nurturing creativity, reinforcing business literacy, and guiding Nigerian emerging creatives and their teams in navigating the French and global fashion industry.”

The statement also said that “through this platform, the French Embassy in Nigeria aims at celebrating Nigerian creativity and cultural preservation initiatives, sustainable practices and cross-cultural collaborations, while giving the tools and skills for creatives to build long-lasting and incremental financial growth for their company.

“The aim of this programme is not only to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of 10 Nigerian brands but also to support their export opportunities to France at key events.”

“Its curriculum, which combines group and individual training, mentoring, and master classes (over 120 hours per brand), has been defined in conjunction with renowned French and African experts and the Nigerian incubator CCHUB.

The programme has been built around the precise needs of the beneficiaries, and the brands are considered in their singularity. However, at every stage it is a question of dialogue, sharing experiences, and mutual enrichment, to also highlight the strength of the collective,” It explained.

The statement also said that the Accelerator would also close off with professional travels to Paris, designed to immerse the selected brands in the world capital of fashion via unique access to key industry players and events.

It said; “The Accelerator will comprise of: Physical tailored 1 on 1 course on a broad range of subjects, with actual deliverables and tools; Monthly mentorship sessions; High-level masterclasses; Direct & indirect grants; Investment readiness module with pitching sessions to investors; Support to the participation to a French prescriptive event in 2024. The 10 brands selected for this ‪2023-2024‬ cohort, amongst more than 120 applications are: – For Fashion: Lagos Space Programme, TJWHO Design, OBIDA, EKI KERE, ELEXIAY and WAF – Wafflesandcream Limited;

” For Accessories: MALIKO and Ethnic Africa; For Design: OMI Collective et Aga Design and Culture Limited.”

The Lagos-Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator is part of a global programme announced by the French President, Emmanuel Macron in February 2023, called “Création Africa.” This programme aims to increase support and resources to the French diplomatic network and its action toward the global ecosystem of creative and cultural industries.

The official launch of this initiative takes place in Paris from 6 to 8 October 2023 with dozens of talents from the worlds of animation, video games, and cinema being showcased with a strong Nigerian delegation in attendance. These laureate brands are considered in their singularity with a tailored accompaniment.

The statement added that the 10 brands and designers have been chosen over 128 applications by a prestigious jury of Franco-Nigerian professionals.

These are solid brands with strong development potential both in Nigeria and in the French markets. Their creativity, professionalism, and vision were acknowledged by the jury.

The Embassy of France in Nigeria has operated since June 2023, a €1.2 million fund to support entrepreneurs in the Nigerian cultural and creative industries in the fields of design, fashion, video games, audio-4visuals ,and dance.

The “Lagos-Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator” is financed via this grant.

Mercy Chukwudiebere