Programs & Initiatives
The work that moves the industry.
Eleven programmes across education, sustainability, talent, and community — all built to advance the African creative economy.
Current
Present Programmes
01
The African Fashion Futures Incubator
A collaborative program designed to empower and support emerging fashion designers across Africa. Initiated by the Impact Fund For African Creatives in partnership with the African Fashion Foundation, the incubator aims to cultivate a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs poised to lead in the global fashion industry.
02
Roberta Annan Scholarship
An initiative aimed at empowering young African students who aspire to pursue careers in the fashion, arts, and business sectors. Named after Roberta Annan, an advocate for sustainability and social change, the scholarship provides educational opportunities and financial support to talented individuals from African countries who may not have the financial means to attend prestigious institutions.
03
The AFF Industry Retreat / Creative Summit
An exclusive event that brings together key stakeholders in the African fashion industry — including designers, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals — to discuss, collaborate, and strategize about the future of fashion in Africa. The retreat creates a platform for learning, networking, and collaboration while addressing the challenges and opportunities specific to the African market.
04
The ASOHOM Gala
In partnership with ASOHOM — the Spouses of Heads of Missions in Ghana and International Organizations — AFF presents an annual gala showcasing African designers aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. All participating designers are associated with the African Fashion Foundation, reinforcing AFF's commitment to fashion as a vehicle for social impact.
05
The Industry Visit
In collaboration with the Yanibes Foundation, this initiative immerses artisans, creatives, and fashion designers in the forefront of sustainable innovation within the fashion industry. Participants gain first-hand exposure to cutting-edge practices in environmental protection, sustainable fashion technologies, and evolving industry policies — equipping them with the knowledge to apply sustainable principles in their own work.
Archive
Past Programmes
06
Scouting for Africa
A fashion talent initiative launched by Vogue Talents in collaboration with the African Fashion Foundation and supported by the Impact Fund for African Creatives. The project aimed to discover and promote emerging African fashion designers by providing them with global exposure and industry support. Previously highlighted designers include Thebe Magugu, Kenneth Ize, and Laduma Ngxokolo of Maxhosa Africa.
07
The Ambassadors Collective
A collaborative initiative launched on October 4, 2021, during the unveiling of the Impact Fund for African Creatives in Paris. This project brought together five distinguished African designers to create a capsule collection aimed at nurturing creativity, fostering cooperation among African fashion brands, and reinforcing AFF's commitment to the African fashion industry.
08
Recycle, Rework, Reuse
A sustainability initiative launched by AFF to address fashion waste and promote sustainable product life cycles within the African fashion industry. This project exemplified AFF's commitment to fostering sustainability in Africa's creative industries by transforming fashion waste into valuable, eco-friendly products.
09
The Loom Project
An innovative initiative that reimagined traditional African weaving techniques to address contemporary design and sustainability challenges. Launched in 2021, the project was a collaboration between Nigerian fashion designer Kenneth Ize and industrial designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello of nmbello Studio.
10
Kayayei Collaboration Collection
An initiative aimed at empowering female head porters, known as 'kayayei,' in Ghana. This project provided these women with sustainable livelihoods through the creation of fashion items that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, in partnership with Ophelia Crossland.
11
The Artisan Hub
A pivotal initiative designed to empower and mentor skilled and emerging artisans within the fashion and design sectors. This social-economic organisation offered programmes and training aimed at helping artisans thrive in their crafts and establish sustainable businesses — serving as a catalyst for economic empowerment, skill development, and cultural preservation.