The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will unveil its roadmap for growing Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion during the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) in Lagos.

The presentation will coincide with CAFA’s first anniversary on November 5, 2026, when the organisation will launch a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution is working with African governments to harmonise policies covering sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property. The initiative is designed to ensure that African creativity generates greater economic value for local businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed the document on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

The minister also highlighted the employment opportunities that investment in the fashion industry could create, particularly for women and young people, noting that the sector has the potential to generate millions of jobs across the continent.

Registered in Rwanda, with its office in Kigali and a desk at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure African Union adoption of the Charter.

Rwanda is progressing towards becoming the second participating country and the first in East Africa.

During its first year, CAFA brought together representatives from 50 nations at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye’s ASRIAD, marking steps towards building international partnerships for the African fashion industry.

The organisation’s programmes are focused on strengthening local production by promoting the processing of African raw materials into finished apparel within the continent.

Its ‘Own What We Create’ initiative addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark are designed to promote quality standards, authenticity and recognition of African fashion products.

CAFA is also establishing African Global Fashion Houses in international markets to create stronger platforms for African designers and fashion businesses to reach global consumers.

Another major initiative is the African Global Fashion Games, scheduled to make their debut in Nigeria in 2028. The event will bring designers together to compete under their respective national colours.

The Games will be held every three years, alternating between African and international host countries. Beyond the creative competition, the programme will incorporate investor meetings, business deal signings and policy discussions aimed at expanding opportunities across the fashion value chain.

One of the planned attractions is the Instant Craft event, in which competing nations will receive identical materials and a fixed period to produce their creations, placing craftsmanship, creativity and technical skill at the centre of the competition.

As part of its participation at CANEX WKND 2026, CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to visit its exhibition stand.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the organisation’s roadmap, engage with its representatives and identify areas of participation through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships.

The CAFA stand will remain open daily from November 5 to 8, 2026.

The organisation is also calling on the African Union to adopt the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter, while urging governments across the continent to sign the Games Register and establish national teams ahead of the 2028 launch.

Speaking on the broader ambition behind the initiative, Labode said: “Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays.”