The Centre for African Fashion Education and Technology (CAFET) took center stage at the prestigious Creative Economy Summit 2023, organized by The Enterprise Development Centre at Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 23, 2023. Representing CAFET, Eme Bassey participated as a distinguished panelist, sharing invaluable insights on the theme, “Tapping Into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Opportunities to Boost Market Access for Creatives in Africa.”

The summit brought together a wide array of youth-led micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, creative innovators, non-governmental organizations, beneficiaries of EDC programs, and civil society organizations. It served as a vibrant platform for the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of emerging talents. A key highlight of the event was the finals of the Creative Business Cup Nigeria 2023, which showcased some of the nation’s brightest creative businesses.

During the panel discussion, Eme Bassey unpacked the implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for the creative industry, a revolutionary trade agreement that aims to create a single market by reducing trade barriers, promoting the free movement of goods and services, and fostering economic integration across Africa. Eme emphasized the pivotal role that education plays in overcoming cross-border trade challenges and facilitating the movement of fashion products within the continent. She stressed that both technical and formal education are crucial for nurturing industry growth and developing products that are ready for export.

Additionally, Eme highlighted the importance of raising mass awareness about the various export opportunities available to creatives under AfCFTA and how they can be effectively leveraged. Addressing the issue of standardization, she spoke on the need for uniformity in sizing, labeling, and packaging to improve customer experiences, reduce returns, and enhance intra-African trade.

Another key focus of Eme’s contribution was how AfCFTA is working to address intellectual property rights through its legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and information-sharing protocols. She emphasized that protecting intellectual property requires that creatives be original in their work and well-versed in the process of patenting and securing their creations from the onset.

Concluding her presentation, Eme highlighted the transformative potential of the creative sector within AfCFTA’s broader economic and development goals, as outlined by the African Union and individual nations. She explained how the fashion industry could play a significant role in improving livelihoods through employment and entrepreneurship, increasing productivity and innovation through education and vocational training, and enhancing global competitiveness through technology adoption. Drawing parallels with successful examples from countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, Eme illustrated how these strategies could drive substantial GDP growth for African nations.

CAFET remains deeply committed to fostering the growth and global competitiveness of the African fashion industry through education, technology, and strategic partnerships. The organization is poised to play an active role in realizing AfCFTA’s transformative impact on the continent’s burgeoning creative economy.