Ananse Center for Design Opens in Lagos October 10, 2025 to Empower Creatives and Drive Innovation

Ananse Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and supported by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, will launch the Ananse Center for Design Lagos at 10 Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, Lagos, Nigeria. More than a facility, the Center is a creative ecosystem designed to nurture talent, empower entrepreneurs, and drive sustainable economic growth.

A New Dawn for Nigerian Creativity
For years, Nigeria’s creative industry dazzled with brilliance but struggled to break through in the marketplace. Talented designers and innovators were limited by inadequate facilities, lack of visibility on global e-commerce platforms, and an overreliance on imports. These barriers made the sector rich in ideas but poor in scale and sustainability.

That changes on 10 October 2025, with the opening of the Ananse Center for Design Lagos – Africa’s first fully integrated design and entrepreneurship hub – bringing together training, production, and market access under one roof to unlock growth at scale.

Empowering Through Design
At its heart, Ananse is about empowerment. The Ananse Center for Design Lagos directly tackles unemployment and gender inequality, with a goal to equip aspiring and emerging fashion entrepreneurs with the skills and tools to professionalise and scale.Training will remain accessible – with some opportunities offered free of charge and others at affordable rates compared to the market – ensuring that youth and vulnerable groups, including displaced people, are not left behind. While Nigeria is the starting point, the Center will also welcome participants from across Africa, reflecting Ananse’s pan-African vision.

Spanning 1,200 square meters, the Center includes:

• Training rooms for masterclasses and mentorship
• Podcast and content studios to amplify voices and brands
• Photography studio for world-class product visuals and global market visibility
• CAD and digital design labs for prototyping and innovation
• Leather, clothing, shoe, and bag sample studios with industrial-grade tools
• Private showroom for Ananse-signed designs and exclusive viewings
• Co-working and breakout spaces for collaboration and networking
• Together, these features make the Center not just a hub, but a launchpad for Nigerian design excellence.

Quote
Samuel Mensah, Founder & CEO, Ananse

“The Ananse Center for Design Lagos is more than a space – it is a catalyst for change. By bringing together training, infrastructure, and global market access, we are giving thousands of young creatives, especially women, the chance to turn their talent into sustainable livelihoods. This launch marks an important step in building a future where African design thrives locally and globally.”

Backed by Public-Private Partnerships
This vision is made possible through strong collaboration. The Mastercard Foundation supports Ananse’s blueprint that links training + infrastructure + market access so designers can access skills and sales channels that grow businesses and livelihoods.

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture & Creative Economy of Nigeria is partnering with Ananse to advance the sector locally and has signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore expansion of the Center for Design model across Nigeria.  Alongside partners such as DHL, Ecobank, and the African Union, this ecosystem ensures African design and innovation reach international audiences.

The Ananse.com online platform further extends this impact – allowing designers to list, market, and sell their creations globally, with logistics and payments seamlessly integrated.

How to Access the Centre
Designers, artisans, and other creative entrepreneurs can access the Centre’s full range of services – from training programmes and mentorship to machinery rentals, product sampling, studio spaces, and business support. For more information and to register, visit here.

Ananse creates technology and training solutions that enable African creatives to scale globally through e-commerce, digital payments, digital sourcing, and distributed manufacturing. With a mission to empower creatives across the continent, Ananse is building a sustainable design ecosystem that drives inclusive prosperity and global recognition.

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