Ananse Center for Design Launches in Lagos to Train 5,000 Designers and Create 50,000 Jobs
The Ananse Center for Design, Africa’s first fully integrated design and entrepreneurship hub, has officially opened in Lagos with an ambitious goal to train 5,000 emerging designers and create 50,000 new jobs in Nigeria’s fashion industry.
The center, located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki, was launched through a partnership between Ananse, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy. The 1,200-square-metre facility is designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s fast-growing creative sector.
Speaking at the launch, Samuel Mensah, Founder and CEO of Ananse, said the center represents more than just a training space. “The Ananse Center for Design Lagos is more than a space—it is a catalyst for change. By combining training, infrastructure, and global market access, we are giving thousands of young creatives, especially women, the chance to turn their talent into sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The hub offers 22 courses across five modules, covering business development, e-commerce, marketing, and product development. It also features mentorship rooms, CAD design labs, rent-free production spaces for fashion and leather goods, and shared workshops to promote creativity and collaboration.
Rosy Fynn, Country Director of the Nigeria Program at Mastercard Foundation, emphasized that the initiative supports the Foundation’s goal of empowering youth. “By bringing together training, infrastructure, and access to markets, the Center creates pathways for young people, especially young women, to thrive, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth,” she said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, also announced that the Federal Government had signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ananse to scale the project across the country. “By investing in skills, facilities, and global visibility for our designers, we are creating jobs, supporting women and youth, and ensuring Nigerian creativity is recognised on the world stage,” she added.
The project is further supported by DHL, Ecobank, and the African Union, with a focus on promoting eco-friendly materials and low-carbon production to encourage sustainability in the fashion industry.
Through this center, Ananse aims to position Nigeria as a leading hub for creative innovation and design excellence in Africa, while offering young talents opportunities to compete globally.
