Business

AFRICAN UNION HOSTS AFRICA FASHION RECEPTION

Published

10 years ago

August 18, 2016

The African Union Commission is set to host the Africa Fashion Reception at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. The event scheduled for 13^th – 15^th September, 2016 will be presenting fashion designers from about 30 African countries. Only 1 top designer has been nominated to represent each of the participating countries by the Executive Board of the Africa Fashion Reception.

Activities lined up during the AFR in Addis Ababa will include an international press conference 13^th, African Fashion Business Summit and Exhibition by participating countries on the 14^th and the gala event on the 15^th September. The gala night will present the collection of all participating countries.

The Africa Fashion Reception (AFR) is a Pan African initiative. This year’s event will gather fashion designers, dignitaries, Ambassadors and media from over 30 African countries, in a celebration of cultural diversity expressed through the artistic fashion discipline with the proud theme ‘Africa is the New Inspiration of Global Fashion’

Goals of the Africa Fashion Reception include:

To build bridges by creating free trade and partnerships among fashion practitioners throughout the African continent
To attract global attention to Africa’s very rich and diversified dress culture which can be explored as a catalyst for the social economic growth of the continent’s garment/textile industry.
To expand the potential power of fashion as a tool of fighting poverty in Africa by creating wealth through the empowerment of women and youths in the various fashion vocations through training, capacity building schemes, workshops and setting up of medium/small scale businesses thereby supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and theAfrican Union Agenda 2063
To bring about self-reliance as this initiative will create millions of jobs across the continent for Tailors, Creative Directors, Textile designers, Models, Cutters, Pressers, Fashion Photographers & Writers, Hair Stylists, Make-up Artists etc
To contribute in bringing the much desired peace and stability to our continent by positively engaging the youths as stated above.
And to further develop African economies by creating the biggest and most profitable African fashion and lifestyle trade and investment initiative for global patronage

The Africa Fashion Reception was officially launched in Paris in 2013 with the participation of 16 African countries. The 2nd edition saw participants from 24 countries.

The first African Fashion Business Summit which will be held on the 14^th has the theme ‘Creating Wealth for African Economies through its Fashion, Garment and Textile Industry’.

After the African edition, all participating countries will be presented at the international edition of the AFR in Paris end of October, 2016.

Partners of the Africa Fashion Reception Addis Ababa includes Africa Magic, motherland Beckons, Atunda Entertainment, Femaz Micro Finance Bank, Design Essentials, AIT, Planet TV, Ben TV, Busyminds Entertainment, Ovation International, Amina Magazine, New African Woman, Europa Regina, Goge Africa, African Royal Kingdoms – ARK.

According to Lexy Mojo-Eyes, CEO of Africa Fashion Reception ‘the textile, garment and fashion industry all over the world is reputed to be the highest employer of labor after government. It led to the industrial revolution and infrastructural development in America, Europe and the Asian countries at different times. It can also be a catalyst for Africa’s economic revolution’ he said. ‘With a population of over 1.2 billion people, Africa must learn how to do business with itself before venturing out of the continent. This is why we are beginning from Africa’ He concluded.

Some of the participating designers representing their countries includes Lisete Pote – Angola, Paradise Fashion – Ethiopia, Khosi Nkosi Fashion House – South Africa, Chizo – Zambia, David Alford – Zimbabwe, Hall of Peters – Ghana, Alphao Fashion – Guinea, Botocy Clothing – Botswana, Fall Prov – Senegal, Inkanda – Rwanda, Les Peches Mignons – Mali, Kaz ’O’ Zah Art – Burundi, Walove by Design – Kenya, Kokonut Stylist – Swaziland, Yaw’s Creation – Gambia, Classic Fashion Namibia, Keto Couture – Nigeria, FKK Fashion – Togo,De La Sebure-Burkina Faso and Kokonut Stylist Swaziland etc.

For details, log on to www.africafashionreception.com

Business

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation opens applications for 6th Cohort Programme

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation opens applications for 6th Cohort Programme

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the sixth cohort of its transformative AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP).

This flagship six-month executive education initiative, delivered by the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, is designed to empower high-potential public sector leaders across Africa with the tools, networks, and strategic insight required to deliver meaningful reform across African public institutions.

Applications are now open to qualified public servants from all English-speaking African countries and will close on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The programme commences in October 2026.

Since its inception in 2021, the AIG PLP has built a formidable reputation for creating tangible impact.

Alumni from the programme have gone on to design and implement more than 230 reform projects within their ministries, departments, and agencies across Africa.

An impact survey revealed that 62% of alumni have earned promotions or assumed expanded leadership roles post-training, demonstrating the programme’s direct effect on career advancement and institutional influence.

“Across Africa, the complexity of public sector challenges demands more than good intentions. It requires reformers who understand systems, can navigate institutional realities, and are equipped to implement sustainable change.

The AIG PLP is designed to meet this need,” said Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice-Chair of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

As part of the programme, a PLP alumna, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of Lagos State DSVA, launched a secure self-reporting tool that allows survivors of domestic and sexual abuse safely document incidents and preserve evidence.

Survivors are already accessing support, and the tool ensures that crucial proof is protected until justice can be sought. This is one of over 230 impactful reform projects being implemented across sectors as diverse as healthcare, finance, agriculture, and education.

We are seeing proof every day that investing in the capacity and leadership potential of people, delivers the kind of transformation that policy alone cannot achieve.”

The AIG PLP is a blended learning experience that combines online sessions with an intensive residential module.

It is offered at no cost to selected participants, with the Foundation covering all costs of the programme including accommodation and feeding during the residential weeks.

Participants gain direct access to world-class faculty from the University of Oxford, and learn to tackle core public sector challenges such as: Negotiating in the public interest. Harnessing digital technology for governance.

Strengthening public organisations.
Upholding integrity in public life.
The curriculum culminates in a capstone reform project, where participants apply their new skills to a real-world challenge within their institution.

This practical component ensures that learning translates directly into actionable solutions.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. For more details on the application process and to apply, please visit the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation website.

Business

Renewed Hope Ambassadors Inspect RHA Secretariat

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Renewed Hope Ambassadors Inspect RHA Secretariat

Renewed Hope Ambassadors, led by its Director-General and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, alongside Zonal Coordinators (NW, NC, SE), the Media & Publicity Directorate, and other key stakeholders, inspected the RHA Secretariat two days after President Bola Tinubu unveiled the Renewed Hope Ambassadors grassroots engagement drive in Abuja.

Business

Harmony Gardens’ Ibeju-Lekki Portfolio Crosses $1bn

Published

5 days ago

February 25, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Harmony Gardens’ Ibeju-Lekki Portfolio Crosses $1bn

Harmony Garden & Estate Development Limited has expanded its development activities across Ibeju-Lekki, pushing the projected long-term value of its estate portfolio beyond $1 billion.

Led by Chief Executive Officer Hon. Dr. Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, popularly know Saheed Ibile, the company is developing seven estates within the Lekki–Ibeju corridor. Details available on Harmony Garden & Estate Development show a portfolio spanning land assets and ongoing residential construction across key growth locations.

A major component is Lekki Aviation Town, where urban living meets neighborhood charm, located near the proposed Lekki International Airport and valued internally at over $250 million. The development forms part of the company’s broader phased expansion strategy within the axis.

Other estates in the corridor tagged as the “Citadel of Joy” (Ogba-idunnu) include Granville Estate, Majestic Bay Estate, The Parliament Phase I & II, and Harmony Casa Phase I & II.

With multiple projects active, the rollout of the Ibile Traditional Mortgage System, and structured expansion underway, Harmony Garden & Estate Development Ltd continues to deepen its presence within the fast-growing Ibeju-Lekki real estate market.