The creative industry in Nigeria has received a major boost as Ananse, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and with the support of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, inaugurated the Ananse Centre for Design Lagos, aimed at empowering young Nigerians and promoting sustainable innovation.
The event held in Lagos, marked the official unveiling of the 1,200-square-metre facility located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate.
The Centre is designed to equip young fashion designers with essential skills, tools, and market access to enable them to grow their small and medium-scale enterprises.
The initiative targets over 5,000 emerging designers and aims to create 50,000 job opportunities, with 70 per cent of beneficiaries expected to be young women.
The facility offers 22 training courses across five modules including Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development, delivered through both physical and virtual platforms.
It also features co-working spaces, photography studios, content creation laboratories, and product development areas for fashion, leather, and accessories.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Albert Biga, Chief Executive Officer of Oasis Properties & Construction Limited, described the project as a “landmark facility designed to blend creativity with functionality.
He said the structure reflects sustainable practices and meets international standards, promoting innovation and eco-friendly operations.
Also speaking, Ms. Rosy Fynn, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, said the partnership underscores the Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment through the creative economy.
She explained that the initiative aligns with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable millions of young Africans, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling employment.
She noted that through training, mentorship, and market access, the Centre would support young Nigerians in transforming their creative skills into sustainable livelihoods and contributing to inclusive national growth.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ananse, Mr. Sam Mensah, described the project as “a defining moment for African creativity.”
He said the Centre would serve as a catalyst for change by combining training, infrastructure, and global market access to help local designers thrive both nationally and internationally.
Mensah added that Ananse’s mission is to build a sustainable design ecosystem across Africa by leveraging technology, e-commerce, and innovation to project African creativity onto the global stage.
In her remarks, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musa Musawa, commended the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and supporting youth employment.
She announced that the Ministry had signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananse to replicate the design centre model across the country, ensuring wider access and long-term sustainability.
According to her, the initiative will contribute significantly to job creation, gender inclusion, and the global promotion of Nigerian fashion and craftsmanship.
The Ananse Centre for Design Lagos is expected to serve as a hub for creativity, skill development, and innovation, positioning Nigerian designers for global competitiveness while advancing inclusive economic growth.
Written by Niran Odufayo