African fashion is set to take on a new dimension. At CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, the fashion shows and the Luxury Fashion Xchange are showcasing the expertise of the continent’s designers. But beyond the catwalks, the ambition is economic: to structure the textile sector, attract investment and grow the value of the African fashion economy from 60 to 500 billion dollars.
Original designs, reimagined African fabrics and fashion designers from across the continent. In Lagos, fashion is emerging as one of the highlights of CANEX WKND 2026. Through fashion shows and the Luxury Fashion Xchange, African brands are being showcased to international buyers, investors and industry professionals. However, for industry stakeholders, the challenge goes beyond visibility. It is about turning Africa’s creative potential into a fully-fledged industry.
Our job is to find how to move it from a 60 billion dollar fashion economy to 500 billion dollars, working with different institutions. CAFA is a unified policy body for Africa, where we’re able to bring a lot of good things that are going on across Africa with different institutions into one place, and that’s critical for African creativity now, of which CANEX is a major lead.
AARE LAI LABODE, President of the Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA)
Achieving this ambition requires boosting local production, harmonising trade policies and protecting creative works. In February 2026, progress towards the AfCFTA protocol on intellectual property further reinforced this priority. On the ground, designers are already seizing the opportunities offered by this platform to reach new markets.
CANEX is the ideal platform for showcasing African creativity, building connections, meeting people, presenting our work and accessing new markets. Lagos, which is the fashion capital of sub-Saharan Africa, is the perfect city for this kind of gathering because it is such a vibrant and creative place.
MARINA SERGE ESSO, Fashion Designer – Cameroon
From Cameroon to Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, the collections reflect a shared ambition: to promote local materials and craftsmanship while adapting to the demands of the contemporary market.
We decided to create clothing simply to offer a different perspective on African fashion. We use materials such as bâti and traditional Beninese woven fabrics, which we work with to create designs suited to both men and women.
MOULIKATH ARINLOYE, Fashion Designer – Benin
We offer contemporary fashion that combines African textiles with modern design.
HAFOUCHATA MEITE, Fashion Designer – Côte d’Ivoire
With a target of reaching 500 billion dollars, African fashion now aims to strengthen its position in the global economy. However, the challenges of industrial transformation, financing and market access remain. In Lagos, CANEX is championing a clear ambition: Africa no longer wants simply to dress the world through its creativity; it also wants to capture the economic value generated by its creations.
