At the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend Summit on Thursday, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, called for urgent action to empower Africa’s fashion and textile ecosystem.
In her keynote address, Musawa celebrated Africa’s rich textile heritage, highlighting iconic fabrics such as Adire, Kente, Bogolan, and Ankara.
A statement by her special Adviser on media and Publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze however, quoted her to have pointed out the irony that nearly 90% of Ankara consumed in Africa is imported, resulting in a $3 billion annual loss to foreign manufacturers.
“We must reclaim our fashion narrative,” Musawa urged, emphasizing the need to strengthen local production capacities.
She noted that the fashion industry’s immense economic potential, projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, and stressed the importance of creating jobs, particularly for women and youth.
Musawa also announced initiatives like the Design Nexus and Destination 2030, aimed at establishing manufacturing hubs and luxury craftsmanship training programs across the continent.
She underscored the necessity of updating intellectual property laws to protect traditional techniques and ensure that originating communities benefit from their cultural heritage.
The session featured a diverse panel of experts, enriching the discussion on Africa’s fashion and textile future, further underscoring the need for a united effort to enhance the industry.