Road to AGFG 2028: CAFA Advances Global Fashion Games Vision at CANEX

Charles Ajunwa

As preparations towards the African Global Fashion Games 2028 continue, Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) used CANEX WKND 2026 to introduce its vision for national representation, international competition and greater commercial opportunities for fashion industries.

A statement by CAFA asked: What would it mean for countries to compete on a global fashion stage, with their designers, textile innovators and craftspeople representing the strength of their national fashion industries?

“This is the vision behind the African Global Fashion Games (AGFG), one of the flagship initiatives being advanced by the Confederation of African Fashion.

“At CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, CAFA continued conversations around the proposed championship, scheduled to debut in Nigeria in 2028, and the opportunities it aims to create for participating countries.

“The engagement formed part of CAFA’s wider effort to connect African fashion with international markets, investment and stronger institutional cooperation.

“The African Global Fashion Games is being developed as an international fashion championship conceived in Africa and open to eligible countries across the world.

“Unlike conventional fashion showcases that primarily focus on individual designers or brands, AGFG is structured around national representation.

“Participating countries will assemble national teams to present their capabilities across designated fashion disciplines and competition levels.

“Entries will be evaluated against established judging criteria, with recognition awarded on merit.

“The proposed disciplines encompass areas of fashion design, craftsmanship, textile development and innovation, creating opportunities to recognise different forms of technical and creative achievement.

“This approach is intended to give participating countries a platform to demonstrate their fashion capabilities while encouraging the development of the industries that support their designers and craftspeople.”

The statement added, “CANEX WKND 2026 brought together policymakers, investors, cultural institutions, designers, manufacturers and other creative industry stakeholders from Africa and beyond.

“These are among the groups whose participation will be important to the development of AGFG.

“For CAFA, the event provided an opportunity to communicate the proposed championship’s purpose and its connection to the wider African fashion economy.

“The Games are intended to create a meeting point for international fashion competition, commercial engagement and industry development.

“Alongside the championship, the proposed platform includes opportunities for exhibitions, buyer engagements, investment discussions and institutional cooperation.

“This is an important distinction in CAFA’s approach.

The Games are designed to recognise fashion talent while encouraging the business relationships and industry structures that can support its long-term development.

“National participation is central to the AGFG model.

“CAFA is advancing engagements with governments and relevant institutions concerning the frameworks required for countries to participate and establish their national representation.

“The African Fashion Industry Growth Charter forms part of CAFA’s broader institutional agenda for policy alignment and industry cooperation.

“Nigeria became the first country to sign the Charter on 5 November 2025, and the first anniversary of that signing coincided with the opening of CANEX WKND 2026.

“One year later, CAFA is continuing engagements towards wider continental adoption, alongside discussions relating to the Games and the participation of other countries.

“These developments reflect the relationship between CAFA’s policy work and its ambition to establish a recognised international platform for fashion.”

It further said, “For designers and craftspeople, AGFG presents a proposed pathway to international recognition through national representation.

“For manufacturers and textile producers, it offers the prospect of greater visibility for the production capabilities and technical expertise that support national fashion industries.

“For investors, buyers and commercial partners, the Games are intended to provide opportunities to engage with participating markets, institutions and fashion businesses.

“And for governments, AGFG offers a framework through which national fashion capabilities can be presented alongside conversations about trade, investment and industry development.

“CAFA’s ambition is to establish a platform whose relevance extends beyond the competition itself, contributing to the broader development of a more competitive African fashion economy.

“CANEX WKND 2026 provided another opportunity to introduce the African Global Fashion Games to a wider network of industry participants and strengthen awareness of its objectives.

“As the Games move towards their proposed 2028 debut in Nigeria, continued engagement with countries, industry institutions and commercial partners will be essential.

“The work ahead includes advancing national participation, strengthening institutional relationships and developing the competition and industry frameworks required to deliver the initiative.

“For CAFA, the road to AGFG 2028 is part of a wider ambition to build an African fashion economy that can compete, trade and create greater economic value on an international scale.”