African Designers Bemoan Policy Gap, Warn of Threats to $35b Sector Growth

Omolabake Fasogbon

As Africa’s Interior design market continues to impress, with  projections indicating a potential market share of  around $35 billion by 2030, conversations around  embracing native and home-sourced materials to produce bespoke designs  that resonate with Africans have continued to gain momentum. 

Stakeholders believe this is a right step to drive  global competitiveness unlock new opportunities beyond current record, and showcasing Nigeria and  Africa’s  rich cultural and traditional elements to the world. 

At the just concluded African Interior Design Congress (AIDC) 2025, held in Lagos, the urgency to switch to innovative designs that reflect  continent’s culture, climate and lifestyle

 took the centre stage, with industry leaders noting however that absence of policy and regulatory framework is hindering local manufactuters from looking inward. 

 Hosted by the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), on behalf of   African Council for Interior Architects Designers(ACIAD), in partnership with Design Week Lagos, AIDC brought together leading designers, academics, and policymakers from across Africa to shape a unified vision for the continent’s design future under the theme, “Policy, Practice & People: Aligning Interior Design with Africa’s Needs.”

Speaking, Founder of IDAN, ACIAD and Convener of AIDC, Titi Ogufure  said the gathering was necessitated by growing dependence of African designers on Western ideals. 

She stressed that it was high time regional players took charge of the game by investing in local talents, research and produculture

More importantly, Ogufere lamented regional authorities have continued to overlook the potential of African designs as a keydriver of economic growth and culture.

She worried that this mentality contributed to lapses hindering sector’s prosperity, including gap in education, skills and design literacy, noting how IDAN and ACAID are bridging these gaps leveraging global partnerships and educational Initiatives.

“Design is not a luxury; it is infrastructure. What we build today through policy and practice will define how Africa lives, learns, and competes tomorrow. If we’re going to produce competitively, we need support to close that skill and production gap. You can’t ban imported furniture without helping us produce locally. We have the materials but need education, research, and manufacturing support to bridge the gap between overpriced imports and poor-quality local products,” she stated. 

President, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) Jacqueline Aki explained that the congress was a large effort to build framework that serves the society by aligning design practices with community needs. 

She informed that as part of group’s efforts at strengthening practice locally was the launch of a Charter to regulate   standards, enforce professionalism, and separate  designers from decorators.

“The charter will guide how we do business as interior designers and set minimum standards across Africa. It’s time to build structure and ensure that those practicing interior design are certified professionals.under the new framework, practicing interior design in Nigeria without proper certification will no longer be permissible, aligning with international best practices”. 

On her part,  Chairperson of the congress, Dr. Omeba Ejogu charged  government to fund research and provide grants to advance study and application of indigenous materials in designs.

Ejogu said, “This would help establish industry standards and promote sustainability. For instance, if I want to use ashọkè or bamboo to design a space, I should know its composition, its sustainability, and its health implications. This can only be achieved  through research and standardisation.”

Delivering a keynote address on “The Role of Interior Design in Africa’s Development,” President of ACIAD, George Washington Karani emphasised the need for  regional governments to create spaces that reflect African identity rather than Western influences, asserting that true development lies in showcasing Africa to the world through its own designs.