Abuja is hosting artisans and cultural stakeholders from Botswana, Burkina Faso, and Ghana at the third edition of the African Weaving Festival (AWeF 2025), celebrating African textiles as tools for economic empowerment and cultural diplomacy.
Opening the three-day festival, the Permanent Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olubunmi Olowookere, praised the organisers for creating a platform that elevates the weaving industry while empowering women, who form the backbone of this craft across the continent. She called for stronger public–private partnerships to boost indigenous fabric production and harness its economic potential.
In his keynote address, the National Secretary of the Nigeria–China Business Council, Alhaji Ali Adamu, encouraged weavers to adopt innovative branding and marketing strategies to attract both local and international patrons. He also urged artisans to leverage government support programs in their countries to enhance productivity and profitability.
Representing Botswana’s High Commission in Nigeria, Mrs. Phildan Nani Kereng emphasized that the festival would foster cultural cohesion, unity, and provide economic opportunities for rural women, contributing to Africa’s GDP. She highlighted the importance of investment in weaving to showcase Africa’s unique fabrics globally.
The Executive Director of Strategy and Mobilisation, FCT Department of Culture and African Weaving Festival, Mr. Sam Agbi, noted that AWeF celebrates Africa’s textile heritage, promotes cultural identity, and positions Nigeria as a hub for cultural tourism. He added that the festival encourages craft-based entrepreneurship, cross-border cultural exchange, and heritage preservation.
The opening featured a fashion runway, interactive exhibitions, and tours of weaving stands, giving artisans opportunities to showcase their craftsmanship to investors, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts.
AWeF 2025 demonstrates how Africa’s indigenous fabrics can drive cultural pride, empower women, and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
