The Federal Authorities has formally endorsed the Meet Africa Trend Pageant (MAFEST) 2026, pledging institutional help for the profitable internet hosting of the continental trend occasion in Nigeria.
The endorsement of the Presidency was conveyed to the President and Convener of MAFEST, Mr. Charles Ozoemena, in an official letter dated March 2, 2026.
The letter was signed by the Director overseeing the Workplace of the Everlasting Secretary, Political and Financial Affairs Workplace, Ifiok Abia, on behalf of the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
In accordance with the correspondence, the Federal Authorities acknowledged the competition’s strategic significance and its alignment with Nigeria’s broader financial and cultural growth targets.
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“The Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation has rigorously thought-about your request and commends the initiative, significantly its targets of selling Africa’s creativity, innovation and the financial potential of the style and textile business within the nation. On this regard, the SGF has endorsed the 2026 version of MAFEST,” the letter said.
To make sure efficient participation and seamless coordination of the occasion, the SGF designated the Federal Ministry of Arts, Tradition, Tourism and Artistic Economic system because the lead coordinating ministry for the competition.
The ministry is anticipated to work with different related Ministries, Departments and Businesses (MDAs) inside the limits of their statutory duties to facilitate collaboration and participation.
The SGF additionally suggested the competition organisers to work intently with the lead ministry to coordinate engagement with federal companies and authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, consistent with established authorities procedures.
MAFEST is a pan-African artistic economic system platform designed to showcase indigenous African creativity and place the continent as a worldwide trend powerhouse.
The competition seeks to bridge the cotton, textile, and garment worth chain whereas selling eco-conscious, sustainable trend practices throughout Africa.
Organisers say the platform presents Africa’s artistic economic system as a robust driver of business progress, commerce enlargement, job creation and youth empowerment.
The 2026 version of the competition is themed “Take Your Place Africa!”, a name encouraging Africans throughout borders to assert a stronger place within the world artistic and financial panorama.
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The four-day occasion is anticipated to draw designers, traders, cultural diplomats, policymakers and media representatives from greater than 20 African international locations.
Actions lined up for the competition embody exhibitions, runway showcases, enterprise networking classes and high-level engagements centered on strengthening Africa’s trend and artistic industries.
Different occasions scheduled for the competition embody a continental convention, masterclasses and workshops, funding roundtables and a gala night time grand finale celebrating Africa’s trend heritage and manufacturing potential.
MAFEST additionally enjoys the help of a number of native and worldwide companions, together with Modela Couture Lagos, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Africa, Europe and the UK South, the Federal Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Funding, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Tradition, Tourism and Artistic Economic system, StyleAfrique Ghana and the Federal Ministry of Atmosphere.
With the Federal Authorities’s formal backing, organisers say MAFEST 2026 is anticipated to additional strengthen Nigeria’s place as a number one hub for Africa’s trend and artistic economic system whereas selling larger continental collaboration and world visibility for African designers and types.
