Ethnocentrique has concluded the second edition of The Fashion Games in Aba, marking the end of the pilot phase of its Fashion Future Program implemented in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation. The initiative is aimed at strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises within Nigeria’s fashion industry.
The two-day event brought together key players across government, finance, and the fashion industry to explore strategies for scaling Nigeria’s creative sector. It also served as a platform to showcase the impact of the programme, which has reached more than 10,000 individuals across Aba and surrounding areas.
According to programme data, over 6,000 participants were directly engaged, while more than 4,000 MSMEs were supported through various stages of business development. In addition, the initiative facilitated over ₦200 million in business transactions, reflecting increased market access for participating enterprises.
Women made up more than 80 percent of participants, highlighting the programme’s strong contribution to female entrepreneurship. The initiative also advanced inclusion by supporting 282 persons with disabilities to establish businesses within the fashion ecosystem.
Discussions during the event focused on key barriers limiting the growth of Nigeria’s fashion industry. Stakeholders identified weak production systems, inconsistent quality standards, and limited access to structured financing as major challenges affecting scalability.
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Further conversations addressed funding gaps facing youth-led businesses, with emphasis on the need for improved governance, proper record-keeping, and stronger business structures to enhance access to finance.
Programme representatives noted that the initiative is helping reposition fashion as a viable economic sector with the capacity to drive enterprise growth and job creation. They also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts across the ecosystem, pointing out that fragmentation continues to limit the full potential of the industry.
The event attracted participation from stakeholders across multiple sectors, reflecting increasing recognition of the role of fashion in Nigeria’s economic development, particularly in hubs such as Aba.
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