Ananse, Mastercard Foundation Open Doors to Lagos Design Centre
…Foundation to Empower Young Innovators
Ananse, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and backed by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, has officially launched the Ananse Centre for Design Lagos a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to nurturing young talent in Nigeria’s creative sector and driving sustainable innovation.
The centre was unveiled during an inauguration and press briefing held on Friday in Lekki, Lagos.
The 1,200-square-meter facility, located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, seeks to provide young fashion creatives with essential skills, tools, and market access to grow their small and medium enterprises.
The initiative targets over 5,000 emerging designers and aims to create 50,000 job opportunities, with 70 per cent of beneficiaries being young women.
The Centre offers 22 training courses across five modules, Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development delivered both physically and virtually.
It also features co-working spaces, photography studios, content creation labs, and product development facilities for fashion, leather, and accessories.
Mr Albert Biga, CEO, Oasis Properties & Construction Limited, who played a key role in construction of the Ananse Centre, described the facility as a “landmark project designed to blend creativity with functionality.”
He said Oasis Properties was proud to deliver a world-class structure that provides a conducive environment for learning, collaboration, and innovation within Nigeria’s expanding creative sector.
According to him, the design and construction of the Centre reflect sustainable practices and modern infrastructure capable of meeting international standards while promoting eco-friendly operations and inclusivity.
Ms. Rosy Fynn, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, said the partnership with Ananse underscores the Foundation’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment through the creative economy.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable millions of young Africans, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities.
Fynn emphasized that through training, mentorship, and market access, the Centre would help young Nigerians transform their talent into sustainable livelihoods and contribute to inclusive national growth.
Mr Sam Mensah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ananse, described the launch as “a defining moment for African creativity.”
He said the Centre would serve as a catalyst for change by combining training, infrastructure, and global market access to help fashion creatives thrive locally and internationally.
Mensah added that Ananse’s mission is to create a sustainable design ecosystem across Africa by leveraging technology, e-commerce, and innovation to elevate homegrown talent to global recognition.
Mrs Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, commended the initiative, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and supporting youth employment.
She said the Ministry has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananse to replicate the design centre model across the country, ensuring nationwide impact and sustainability.
According to her, the Centre would contribute significantly to job creation, gender inclusion, and the global promotion of Nigerian fashion and craftsmanship.
The Ananse Centre for Design Lagos has been launched to train and empower over 5,000 young fashion creatives and generate 50,000 jobs, with support from the Mastercard Foundation and Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy.
Located in Lekki, the Centre offers world-class facilities, training programs, and global market access to drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s creative sector.
The initiative emphasizes gender inclusion, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation, positioning Nigerian designers for international competitiveness and long-term prosperity.
