#Creative Economy #Ghana #Accra #African Fashion Found. #AFFI Cohort II

Launch of the African Fashion Futures Incubator

The African Fashion Foundation (AFF) has taken a significant step towards nurturing the continent's creative economy by launching the African Fashion Futures Incubator for the year 2025. This initiative, referred to as the AFFI-II'25, aims to support both emerging and established designers by providing them with essential resources, thus facilitating the growth of sustainable fashion enterprises in Africa.

Introduction to AFFI-II'25

With its mission to cultivate Africa's creative ecosystem, the second cohort of the African Fashion Futures Incubator aims to deliver a comprehensive support system for designers. This is achieved through financial assistance, advisory services, marketing guidance, and logistical support, fostering an environment conducive to cultural exchange, peer learning, and business development.

Participating designers will get an opportunity to showcase their collections on several international platforms. Key events include ASOHOM and The Industry Retreat in October, notably highlighted during LA Fashion Week, scheduled for December in Ivory Coast, and London Fashion Week in February 2026, where they will collaborate with esteemed partners like Medusa Fashion House.

The Impact Fund for African Creatives

The incubator is anchored by the Impact Fund for African Creatives (IFFAC), which is greatly supported by Annan Capital Partners (ACP). A crucial aspect of this initiative is its partnership with the Digital Fashion Academy (DFA), which provides tailored education focusing on digital advancements and e-commerce strategies specific to the fashion and luxury sectors.

Meet the Talented Designers

This year's cohort comprises 15 talented designers hailing from various African nations, including:

• - African Yuva (Kenya)
• - Afrowema (Kenya)
• - Bloombyedzi (Ghana)
• - Complex Department (Ghana)
• - February by Serwaa (Ghana)
• - Izubaa (Rwanda)
• - Izulu (Kenya)
• - Kezem (Rwanda)
• - Kondo (Togo)
• - Lines by Chaab (Nigeria)
• - Maison Inkindi (Rwanda)
• - Matheo (Rwanda)
• - Native1018 (Rwanda)
• - Quinstree (Sierra Leone)
• - Victoria Grace (Benin)

Roberta Annan, the founder of AFF, emphasized the significance of this incubator in crafting resilient enterprises capable of generating sustainable value for Africa's creative economy. Her vision includes positioning the AFF as a vital convenor among various ecosystem players and promoting collaboration between African and global stakeholders.

Empowering Future Generations

Through education and innovative digital strategies, partnerships like those with the Digital Fashion Academy are pivotal in equipping young entrepreneurs to influence the future of fashion in Africa effectively. Enrico Fantaguzzi, CEO and Founder of DFA, spoke about the importance of these initiatives, suggesting that they empower designers to align with global best practices.

Additionally, Sonal Jindal of Medusa Fashion House remarks on the significance of platforms like London Fashion Week 2026, which not only showcase African brilliance but also reflect the fusion of heritage and contemporary innovation.

The Broader Vision

Robert Owen-Jones, a photographer who has documented the journeys of these designers, notes that their innovative creations exemplify the wealth of creativity emanating from the African continent. He believes projects like those initiated by the African Fashion Foundation are crucial in displaying Africa's rich artistic heritage to a global audience.

Malaika Uwamahoro reiterates the importance of celebrating Africa's diverse creative traditions while fostering collaboration across various artistic sectors.

Moreover, Tolu Kweku Lacroix, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ghana, highlights that promoting sustainability within the African fashion industry is vital for job creation, environmental protection, and shaping a globally responsible and culturally reflective industry.

Conclusion: A New Dawn for African Fashion

The launch of the AFFI-II'25 at the #ACEL2025 forum in Kigali signifies a commitment to enhancing African talent and fostering collaborative efforts in driving investment, cultural dialogue, and collective growth within the broader creative economy. This initiative not only aims to elevate African fashion on the global stage but also aspires to solidify the continent's creative resilience for years to come.