As part of efforts aimed at making indigenous fashion industry globally competitive, members of Women in Fashion Tech (WIFT) have stressed the need to lead innovation by integrating cutting-edge technology into the fashion industry.

Speaking at the Afro-EU Garment Innovations and Sustainability summit in Lagos, the association in collaboration with the Central Eastern European And West African Business Association (CEEWABA), and the UN Women stressed the need for technology and innovation in the fashion industry.

WIFT President, Bukola Yekeen-Ajani said the essence of the programme is to ensure, ‘we protect our designs, the work of our forefathers and the African culture. It is worth protecting. It is like heritage passing down from one generation to another. These days we discover we now have counterfeit of Adire. But we have designed solutions that will curb those theft.’ She also acknowledged the United Nations Women for their invaluable support. Speaking in a similar vein, CEEWABA President Michael Dada disclosed, ‘we are encouraging African fashion to penetrate Europe. To create a market for brands in Africa, particularly from Nigeria.

Europe is ready for African fashion. Wherever Nigerians are in the world, we make sure that our presence are relevant and respected.’

On her part, the United Nations Women Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS Beatrice Eyong urged Nigerian women to maximize opportunities in the nation’s 2.5 billion dollars fashion industry.

She disclosed the fashion industry generates between 2.5 billion dollars to 2.6 billion dollars annually.

To her, ‘it’s a big market and experts believe that the potential can grow to 10 billion dollars annually.’

Saying women have the potential to grow the economy of the country, she added, ‘If Nigeria prospers, Africa is going to prosper. Nigeria is the giant of Africa. UN is working at the federal and state level to ensure that the economic policies developed favour women with disabilities and women living with HIV Aids.‘We also support women in government, like affirmative procurement. This will make women make more money and provide employment opportunities.’

Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment Nana-Hauwa Adeeyo, who represented Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative Trade and Investment Folashade Ambrose-Medebem noted partnerships and shared expertise is of extreme importance in moving the fashion industry forward. She added Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to changing the narratives of the fashion industry.