Design Week Lagos 2025 unveils its most ambitious edition yet: “Made in Africa – Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures”

Design Week Lagos (DWL), Africa’s leading festival of design, innovation, and culture, will return from October 23–28, 2025, transforming Lagos into a city-wide celebration of creativity under the theme “Made in Africa: Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures.” Since its debut in 2019, Design Week Lagos has hosted hundreds of designers, brands, and thinkers from across Africa and the diaspora. Its signature initiatives — including the Made by Design documentary on Netflix, The Made by Design Showcase and the Design + Innovation Exhibition — have reshaped global perceptions of African creativity. Now in its seventh year, DWL has evolved into a global platform that spotlights African design excellence and connects creativity with commerce. Founded by Titi Ogufere, CEO of Essential Media Group, the festival continues to position Lagos as Africa’s creative capital — where design drives industry, tourism, and transformation. DWL has become a platform where innovation meets opportunity, spotlighting design as both a creative and economic force. 

“Design Week Lagos exists to champion the ingenuity and ambition of Africa’s creative community. Each edition reaffirms our belief that design is a powerful language — one that tells our stories, shapes our economies, and connects Lagos to the global conversation on creativity and innovation.” — Titi Ogufere, Founder, Design Week Lagos Over six days, Lagos will pulse with exhibitions, installations, talks, and creative activations spread across its design districts. From the Made by Design Show and Design + Innovation Exhibition to student showcases, and partner programs, the festival will engage professionals, students, and the general public. 

Anchored by the Lagos State Government and supported by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, DWL 2025 underscores the growing momentum of design tourism in West Africa — where creative excellence fuels new industries, education, and global visibility.  This year’s programme features over 100 activations, 20,000+ visitors, and more than 250 million media impressions, spanning exhibitions, talks, installations, studio tours, and partner events across all 20 local government areas of Lagos State. 

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS 

Design + Innovation Exhibition (Oct 23–26 | Nahous, Federal Palace)  Curated by Bibi Seck — Paris-born, Dakar-based designer and co-founder of Birsel + Seck — the exhibition showcases over 100 groundbreaking works in furniture, lighting, textiles, and industrial design. It represents the boldest cross-section of emerging African creativity to date.  Made by Design Show (Oct 23–26 | Livespot Entertarium)  Nigeria’s largest interiors trade exhibition returns with over 100 premium brands including Woodstyles, Esorae Homes, ACTIU, Mimz Interiors, and IO Furniture, reaffirming Lagos as the continent’s hub for interior innovation. 

DWL Talks & Dialogue in Design and Development (Oct 23–25 | Livespot Entertarium) Two days of panels and keynotes bring together architects, developers, manufacturers, and policymakers. Featured speakers include Bibi Seck, Victoria Adesanmi, Myles Igwebuike, Yew Kee Cheong (President, AIA), and Astrid Hébert (3C Awards). Student Design Competition (Oct 26 | Livespot Entertarium)  In partnership with Caverton Marine, this year’s competition challenges young designers to rethink maritime mobility, with renowned designer Kurt Merki Jnr. as lead judge. 

Partner & Citywide Events

More than 100 showrooms and partner activations across Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Yaba — including Roots & Resilience (Federal Palace Hotel), Design Intersect 2025 (Soto Gallery), and the Launch of the Institute of Professional Interior Designers & Product Inventors (IPIDPI) at Alliance Française. Design Week Lagos 2025 is proudly in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, Platinum sponsors are Tiger beer & Livespot 360. Design Week Lagos returns from October 23–28, 2025. For full programming details, visit www.designweeklagos.com.