The Lagos State Government and Afreximbank have intensified efforts to position African designers on the global stage following the successful showcase of emerging Nigerian creatives at the prestigious SaloneSatellite 2026 in Milan, Italy.

The international exhibition, organised by Design Week Lagos (DWL) with strategic backing from Afreximbank and the Lagos State Government, marked a major milestone in the push to establish Lagos as a global creative capital and build a sustainable African design economy.

The Milan showcase formed part of the “All Roads Lead to Lagos” global tour initiative aimed at connecting African designers with international markets, manufacturers, galleries and investors.

The exhibition featured a carefully curated selection of young African talents working across furniture, lighting and product design. Among the featured designers were Athanasius Johnson, Nicole Adaora Enwonwu, Odema Acacia Saleh, Richard A. Aina, Joan Eric Udorie, Olaoluwa AJ Durotoye and Myles Igwebuike.

Their works drew global attention for blending cultural identity, innovation and modern production techniques, while also demonstrating the growing commercial value of African design in international markets.

Beyond the exhibition, the platform created opportunities for strategic engagements with global galleries, manufacturers and retail partners, opening doors for product acquisitions, manufacturing partnerships and export opportunities for participating designers.

Founder of Design Week Lagos, Titi Ogufere, described the initiative as a deliberate effort to move African designers beyond creativity into industrial production and global commerce.

“With All Roads Lead to Lagos, we are building a structured pathway for Nigerian and African designers to move from creativity into real industry and global markets,” Ogufere said.

She explained that Design Week Lagos had, over the years, focused on training, incubation and preparing designers to engage competitively within the international manufacturing and production ecosystem.

According to her, the Milan showcase represented more than a cultural exhibition, stressing that it was part of a broader economic strategy aimed at positioning Lagos as a serious player in the global design industry.

“This is not just about visibility. It is about building a sustainable design economy and positioning Lagos as a serious global design capital,” she added.

The Lagos State Government also reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging the creative industry as a major economic driver.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson, said the state had already launched the Design Tourism initiative as part of efforts to position Lagos as a leading destination for culture, innovation and creative enterprise.

She noted that the collaboration with Design Week Lagos would help deepen international cultural exchange while opening economic opportunities for local creatives and businesses.

“Through initiatives like this, we are not only showcasing the richness of our creative industry but also creating opportunities for our designers and creative businesses to connect with international markets,” Benson said.

According to her, Lagos is steadily emerging as one of the world’s most vibrant creative capitals, with Design Week Lagos playing a central role in that transformation.

Afreximbank supported the Milan activation through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, which focuses on strengthening Africa’s creative industries and connecting creative talents to finance, trade and international opportunities.

The bank said the initiative aligns with its broader vision of developing Africa’s creative sector into a viable contributor to economic growth and continental trade.

Following the Milan outing, the “All Roads Lead to Lagos” global tour is expected to continue in Paris and London before culminating in Lagos in October 2026, where attention will shift toward manufacturing partnerships, investment opportunities and industrial-scale production.