Ananse Center for Design Lagos is creating collaborative space and opportunities for young African creatives.
Ananse Africa will launch the Ananse Center for Design Lagos on 10 October 2025, at 10 Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, Lagos, Nigeria. In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and supported by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, Ananse Africa will open the first fully integrated design and entrepreneurship hub. More than a facility, the Centre is a creative ecosystem designed to nurture talent, empower entrepreneurs, and drive sustainable economic growth. It’s set to empower thousands of creatives, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a global leader in sustainable design and innovation.
A new dawn for Nigerian creativity
For years, Nigeria’s creative industry dazzled with brilliance, but many struggled to break through in the marketplace. Poor facilities and a lack of visibility limited skilled designers and innovators. These barriers made the sector rich in ideas but poor in scale and sustainability. The Ananse Center for Design Lagos, one of the first fully integrated design and entrepreneurship hubs, will bring together training, production, and market access under one roof.
At its heart, Ananse is about empowerment. The Ananse Center for Design Lagos directly tackles unemployment and gender inequality 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. This will ensure 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.
A look at what the Ananse Center for Design Lagos offers
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.
“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.” – Samuel Mensah, Founder & CEO, Ananse.
Backed by public-private partnerships
This vision is made possible through strong collaboration. The Mastercard Foundation supports Ananse’s blueprint that links training, infrastructure and market access. This enables designers to 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. They have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the 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 Center
Designers, artisans, and other creative entrepreneurs can access the Center’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 ananse.com/fashionhub.
