- The Centre aims to empower over 5,000 designers and create 50,000 jobs nationwide.
- A five-year MoU will see the replication of the Centre’s model across Nigeria.
- The initiative prioritizes gender inclusion, sustainability, and global market access.
Nigeria’s creative economy received a major boost on Friday as Ananse, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and with the support of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, unveiled the Ananse Centre for Design Lagos — a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to empowering young fashion creatives and driving sustainable innovation.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the inauguration ceremony, held at the Centre’s 1,200-square-meter facility located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, marked a milestone in efforts to nurture homegrown talent and expand opportunities in the country’s fast-growing fashion industry.
The initiative aims to train over 5,000 emerging designers and create more than 50,000 job opportunities, with 70 per cent of the beneficiaries being young women.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Albert Biga, CEO of Oasis Properties & Construction Limited, described the project as a “landmark facility designed to blend creativity with functionality.”
He said Oasis Properties was proud to deliver “a world-class structure that provides a conducive environment for learning, collaboration, and innovation within Nigeria’s expanding creative sector.”
He emphasized that the Centre’s design and construction were guided by sustainability principles and modern standards, promoting eco-friendly operations and inclusivity.
Ms. Rosy Fynn, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted that the partnership with Ananse reinforces the Foundation’s vision of empowering African youth through innovation and entrepreneurship.
“This initiative aligns with our Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable millions of young Africans, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities,” she said.
She added that through training, mentorship, and market access, the Centre will enable young Nigerians to transform their creativity into sustainable livelihoods while driving inclusive national growth.
Mr. Sam Mensah, Founder and CEO of Ananse, described the launch as “a defining moment for African creativity.”
He noted that the Centre would serve as a catalyst for change by combining training, infrastructure, and global market access to help fashion creatives thrive both locally and internationally.
Mensah explained that Ananse’s mission is to build a sustainable design ecosystem across Africa by leveraging technology, e-commerce, and innovation to elevate homegrown talent to global recognition.
In her remarks, Mrs. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, commended the project, saying it demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and supporting youth employment.
She revealed that the Ministry has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananse to replicate the design centre model nationwide, ensuring lasting impact and sustainability.
According to her, the Centre will contribute significantly to job creation, gender inclusion, and the international promotion of Nigerian fashion and craftsmanship.
The Lagos Design Centre offers 22 training courses across five modules — Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development — delivered both physically and virtually.
It also features co-working spaces, photography studios, content creation labs, and product development facilities for fashion, leather, and accessories.
Through this initiative, Ananse and its partners aim to foster innovation, empower youth, and position Nigeria as a global leader in creative excellence.
