Nigeria’s creative economy has taken a bold step forward with the unveiling of the Ananse Center for Design Lagos, a new innovation hub set to redefine the future of fashion and design across Africa.
The project, a collaboration between Ananse, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, is dedicated to transforming local creativity into sustainable enterprise through training, mentorship, and market access.
A Space Where Creativity Meets Opportunity
Located at 10 Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, the 1,200-square-meter facility is more than just a workspace — it’s a launchpad for Nigeria’s next generation of fashion entrepreneurs. The center is projected to support over 5,000 emerging designers and create up to 50,000 job opportunities, with women accounting for 70% of the beneficiaries.
Its training curriculum spans 22 specialized courses across five core areas — Business Skills, Business Development, E-Commerce, Marketing, and Product Development — offered through both on-site and virtual learning.
“The Ananse Center for Design Lagos is not just a facility — it’s a movement,” said Samuel Mensah, Founder and CEO of Ananse. “We’re merging innovation, skill-building, and access to global markets to empower young creatives, particularly women, to build sustainable businesses. This initiative is about unlocking Africa’s creative potential.”
Inside Africa’s Newest Creative Powerhouse
Every detail of the center has been designed to nurture innovation. It houses dedicated studios for photography and content creation, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) labs, and specialized workspaces for apparel, footwear, leather, and accessory production.
There are also showrooms for showcasing collections, mentorship and training rooms, and co-working spaces that encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Beyond its physical infrastructure, the center is inclusive — extending training and resources to vulnerable and displaced groups within and outside Nigeria.
Building an Inclusive Creative Future
The Mastercard Foundation, one of the project’s core partners, views the initiative as a vital step toward unlocking Africa’s creative potential through entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Our collaboration with Ananse on the Center for Design Lagos underscores our mission to enable young Africans, especially women, to thrive in the creative economy,” said Rosy Fynn, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation’s Nigeria Program. “By merging training, infrastructure, and access to global markets, we are creating real economic opportunities for Africa’s youth.”
Through mentorship, business support, and product development services, the center offers a full suite of resources to help creative entrepreneurs grow. Interested participants can register online via ananse.com/fashionhub.
Government Endorsement and Nationwide Expansion
To ensure long-term impact, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananse to scale the model across Nigeria.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our national vision to strengthen the creative economy and elevate Nigerian design globally,” said Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy. “By empowering youth and women with the right skills, we’re not just creating jobs — we’re building a global identity for Nigerian creativity.”
Strategic Partnerships for Global Reach
The project also enjoys the backing of DHL, Ecobank, and the African Union, ensuring that local designers have seamless access to global markets through the Ananse.com platform — a key bridge connecting African talent to international buyers.
As Nigeria continues to establish itself as a creative powerhouse, the Ananse Center for Design Lagos stands as a model of what collaboration, innovation, and vision can achieve. It’s not just a design hub — it’s the blueprint for a new generation of African entrepreneurs ready to take their place on the world stage.
