Experts push reforms to drive fashion, creative industry

Experts push reforms to drive fashion, creative industry

The Community Collective, in partnership with MTN Nigeria and the British Council, has unveiled strategies to help fashion entrepreneurs grow Nigeria’s fashion and creative industry.

The initiative was unveiled at the third edition of its Venture Stack programme in Lagos with the theme, ‘Designing Desirability: Unlocking Value Chain and Market Assets for Fashion and Beauty Products and Brands’.

The event brought together fashion entrepreneurs, creatives and industry leaders to share insights on resilience, scalable business models, and market positioning.

Speaking at the programme, fashion designer Mai Atafo stressed the importance of excellence and continuous learning. “Creatives need to learn in every single way possible, being hungry to learn,” he said.

The founder of TDA Group Africa, Dare Aliu, noted the shortage of skilled manpower in the country but urged entrepreneurs to invest in staff development. According to him, “The fashion and creative industry has fewer and fewer people who are willing to work; however, in the rot, organisations and entrepreneurs can still find gold.”

On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Pink Perfection Accessories, Moremi Dare-Aliu, advised entrepreneurs to start small and remain consistent. “You can start small with whatever business endeavour you identify, but you only need to stay consistent and build through the silent days,” she said.Founder of The Community Collective, Imogie Immanuel, explained that the platform focuses on establishing a culture of collaboration and partnership to aid entrepreneurship to thrive in Africa.

He said, “Our vision is a thriving, inclusive ecosystem that delivers support and inspires individual growth, with the potential to transform society at large. With Venture Stack, we bridge the gap between industry leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to build smarter and scale stronger as a collective.”

Creative strategist Debie Mangut and pop-culture strategist Franklin Ozekhome also underscored the role of consumer data in driving brand growth.

The event featured the launch of the first edition of the Venture Stack marketplace, which spotlighted made-in-Nigeria fashion and beauty products. Brands showcased included House of GDI, Laurens & Co., Imani, The Good Girl Fit, Sassy by Etty, Style by Empress Express, Noga Stephen, House of Xtyna, Esit, and Bon Plaisir.

Attendees benefited from mentorship sessions and practical advice from panellists on distribution, pricing, and developing market-ready products.

Experts push reforms for the Nigerian fashion industry