A new hub for fashion and creative entrepreneurship, the Ananse Centre for Design, has officially opened in Lagos with a mission to drive job creation, skills development, and sustainability within Nigeria’s creative economy.
Located in Lekki, the centre was inaugurated by the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, who described it as a key initiative to support youth and women in the fashion and design sector. The project is a collaboration between Ananse, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Federal Ministry, aimed at empowering over 5,000 emerging creatives and enabling access to 50,000 jobs, with 70 per cent of beneficiaries expected to be women.
According to Ananse’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, the centre is designed to be a transformative space combining training, production infrastructure, and access to global markets. He stressed that affordability was a core principle, ensuring that creatives with limited resources can benefit from high-quality equipment, free masterclasses, and subsidised training.
The centre provides access to advanced machinery, such as industrial embroidery and digital production tools offered at an hourly rate, eliminating the barrier of expensive equipment ownership for small fashion entrepreneurs and designers.
Representatives from the Mastercard Foundation noted that the partnership aligns with their commitment to expanding economic opportunities for young Africans. They highlighted the centre’s potential to dismantle systemic barriers such as lack of finance, skills gaps, and market access, helping Nigerian designers compete globally.
The centre offers 22 courses across modules including business skills, product development, e-commerce, marketing, and fashion technology. Training will be delivered both physically at the hub and virtually through live digital sessions.
The Federal Ministry has backed the initiative with a five-year agreement to replicate the model across Nigeria. The Minister stated that beyond job creation, the centre will build creative capacity, enhance soft power, and strengthen Nigeria’s cultural influence globally.
International partners including DHL, Ecobank, and the African Union are supporting the project to ensure Nigerian designers can reach international markets through logistics, financial services, and e-commerce support via the Ananse.com platform.
Sustainability is a core focus, with emphasis on eco-friendly production, local manufacturing, and reduced dependence on imports. Projections indicate the initiative could generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boost exports, and strengthen small and medium-sized fashion enterprises.
For small businesses in fashion, textiles, and accessories, the Ananse Centre offers access to training, shared production facilities, and global market exposure, reducing startup costs and opening pathways to scale. By integrating business development with creative skills, the centre positions MSMEs to grow sustainably and compete beyond local markets.
