British Council, Community Collective empower Nigeria’s fashion entrepreneurs

Nigerian’s fashion and creative industry is receiving a major boost as The Community Collective, in partnership with MTN Nigeria and the British Council, has introduced fresh initiatives to support fashion entrepreneurs in building sustainable and globally competitive businesses.

The announcement was made during the third edition of the Venture Stack programme held in Lagos, themed “Designing Desirability: Unlocking Value Chain and Market Assets for Fashion and Beauty Products and Brands.” The event brought together fashion designers, business leaders, and industry experts to discuss strategies for innovation, collaboration, and brand growth in Nigeria’s fast-evolving fashion ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, renowned designer Mai Atafo urged creatives to adopt a mindset of continuous learning. “Creatives need to learn in every single way possible, being hungry to learn,” he said, emphasizing that excellence and adaptability remain key to success.

Similarly, Dare Aliu, founder of TDA Group Africa, noted that the industry faces a shortage of skilled professionals but encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in training and resilience. “If you look closely, there’s always gold in the rot,” he remarked.

From the perspective of entrepreneurial growth, Moremi Dare-Aliu, CEO of Pink Perfection Accessories, advised emerging brands to start small and remain consistent. “You only need to stay consistent and build through the silent days,” she stated.

Founder of The Community Collective, Imogie Immanuel, explained that the Venture Stack initiative was created to close the gap between established industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs. “Our vision is to build a thriving, inclusive ecosystem that not only supports creative talents but also drives societal transformation,” he said.

Panel discussions also spotlighted the growing role of consumer data in shaping brand strategies. Creative strategist Debie Mangut and pop-culture expert Franklin Ozekhome highlighted how data-driven insights can help local brands connect more effectively with modern consumers.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the first-ever Venture Stack marketplace, showcasing innovative Nigerian fashion and beauty brands including House of GDI, Laurens & Co., Imani, The Good Girl Fit, Sassy by Etty, Style by Empress Express, Noga Stephen, House of Xtyna, Esit, and Bon Plaisir.

Through mentorship sessions on pricing, distribution, and market-readiness, participants gained valuable knowledge on building scalable businesses. With strong backing from global and local partners, the programme aims to transform Nigeria’s creative energy into world-class fashion enterprises capable of thriving in

the global market.