The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Lagos State Government have issued a joint call for increased investment, funding, and international market access to transition Africa’s creative sector into a powerhouse for employment, exports, and industrial expansion.

This initiative was highlighted during the “Stitch, Sell, Scale: Fashion, Leather & Creative Enterprise Spotlight” hosted in Lagos, which gathered prominent figures from the public sector, financial institutions, and corporate enterprises.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remarked that while talent is plentiful, local business owners frequently face challenges rooted in poor access to capital, international buyers, and professional networks. He emphasized that the state is dedicated to establishing a supportive framework that helps enterprises expand, secure international clientele, and look beyond domestic borders. To achieve this, Lagos is actively teaming up with global development bodies, banks, and private entities to refine business support frameworks, elevate packaging standards, and uplift youth and female entrepreneurs.

Elsie G. Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, pointed out that the continent’s fashion, design, and leather fields have transitioned from mere cultural artifacts into fully active commercial industries. She stated that while global attention on Africa’s creative output is surging, mere visibility isn’t enough to drive real economic reform. According to Attafuah, the central challenge lies in turning talent into profitable, competitive corporate brands that add value across entire distribution networks—stretching from raw material procurement to e-commerce and logistics.

Complementing this view, Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, noted that Africa’s economic narrative is shifting away from its traditional reliance on agriculture and raw commodities toward innovation and strategic creativity.

Eziakonwa pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a massive catalyst for businesses looking to build cross-border supply chains. She painted a vision of regional integration where raw leather could be sourced in one African country, styled in another, put together in a third, and marketed globally under a single African brand name. However, she noted that achieving this scale requires strong policy backing, infrastructure, and cross-sector cooperation among governments, academic hubs, financial experts, and private leaders. Through current programs like the timbuktoo initiative and regional innovation hubs, the UNDP remains committed to bridging the gap between local talent and global investment.