The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, has unveiled plans to host the inaugural African Global Fashion Games (AGFG), a fashion-themed ‘Olympics’.
The announcement came during an unveiling dinner and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the foundation for the African Fashion Renaissance initiative, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Known as Afroliganza, the African Fashion Renaissance aims to unite African nations through fashion, culture, and creative enterprise.
According to both parties, the African Global Fashion Games (AGFG) will serve as the flagship programme of Afroliganza, bringing together national teams and independent designers from around the world on one grand stage.
They noted that the event would provide a platform for competition, collaboration, and commerce aimed at expanding Africa’s fashion economy while driving measurable trade and investment opportunities across the continent.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government, described the agreement as a formal endorsement of Nigeria’s 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.
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The minister noted that Africa exports about $15.5 billion worth of textiles, cotton, apparel, and footwear annually, while imports reach $23.1 billion. She added that global demand for African couture and textiles has risen by over 40%, showing the world’s growing admiration for African creativity.
“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 create the Nigerian Fashion Federation, a national platform to work with state governments and stakeholders in promoting Nigerian fashion under CAFA’s continental framework.
Value driven fashion
Dr. Balogun Labode, pioneer of the African Fashion Renaissance, said Afroliganza aims to build a values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage and led by African institutions for global impact.
He added that a calendar outlining activities leading to the 2027 maiden African Global Fashion Games (AGFG) would soon be released, with support expected from other African nations and the African Union. A coordinating secretariat has already been established in Lagos.
“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/Oluchi