The inaugural FashionEVO Summit Zambia 2026 successfully convened fashion industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The milestone event sparked transformative dialogue focused on advancing Africa’s creative ecosystem and positioning it as a competitive global force.
Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, delivered the keynote address. He underscored the critical role of creative industries in driving inclusive economic growth and championing African fashion on the world stage.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in high-impact panel discussions targeting the industry’s structural barriers and opportunities. Conversations centered on scaling fashion businesses beyond local borders, building structured pathways to international markets, and developing premium accessory value chains. Crucially, panels addressed the need to safeguard African creativity through robust intellectual property protection and supportive policy frameworks, while simultaneously preserving cultural heritage and identity.
The summit featured a stellar lineup of panelists and moderators from across the continent, including prominent Nigerian fashion culture curator Moriam Musa, who spoke on the vital transition, “From Creativity to Industry: Structuring Africa’s Fashion Economy for Global Competitiveness.”
Other respected voices included Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Lilly Alfonso, Blessing Ebere Achu, Faith M. Kabende, Kiki Okewale, Chisanga Kapumpa, and Annie Oti.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, founder of FashionEVO, reaffirmed the platform’s commitment to advancing the industry. “Today’s summit demonstrated what is possible when industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs come together with a shared vision for the future of African fashion,” she stated.
The event concluded with a VIP networking and industry mixer, allowing delegates and speakers from Zambia, Nigeria, and beyond to forge strategic partnerships and explore new avenues for continental collaboration.
