The seventh edition of Design Week Lagos (DWL) closed on October 28, 2025, after six days of exhibitions, installations, panels, and activations that reaffirmed Lagos as Africa’s creative capital. Under the theme “Made in Africa: Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures,” the festival presented its most ambitious programme to date, uniting designers, brands, policymakers, and the public in a city-wide celebration of African creativity.
Founded by Titi Ogufere, CEO of Essential Media Group, DWL has grown since its 2019 debut into a global platform spotlighting African design excellence. Its influence extends beyond the festival — from the Made by Design documentary series on Netflix to a steady flow of international collaborations. This year’s edition was anchored by the Lagos State Government, with support from the Federal Ministry of Tourism, drawing more than 20,000 visitors and generating 250+ million media impressions.
“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
Festival Highlights
- Design + Innovation Exhibition (Nahous, Federal Palace)
Curated by Bibi Seck, Paris-born and Dakar-based co-founder of Birsel + Seck, the exhibition showcased over 100 works in furniture, lighting, textiles, and industrial design — the boldest cross-section of African design talent to date.
- Made by Design Show (Livespot Entertarium)
Nigeria’s largest interiors trade fair brought together over 100 premium brands, including Woodstyles, Esorae Homes, ACTIU, Mimz Interiors, and IO Furniture, underlining Lagos’ role as the hub of African interior innovation. - DWL Talks & Dialogue in Design and Development
Two days of keynotes and panels saw leading voices such as Victoria Adesanmi, Myles Igwebuike, Yew Kee Cheong (President, AIA), Astrid Hébert (3C Awards) and Bibi Seck discuss how design intersects with industry, tourism, and urban development. - Student Design Competition (in partnership with Caverton Marine)
Young designers were challenged to rethink maritime mobility, with Kurt Merki Jnr. leading the jury. - Citywide Activations
More than 100 showrooms and events spread across Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Yaba — from Roots & Resilience at Federal Palace Hotel to Design Intersect 2025 at Soto Gallery and the launch of the Institute of Professional Interior Designers & Product Inventors (IPIDPI) at Alliance Française.
A Festival Driving Tourism and Industry
Backed by sponsors including Tiger Beer, Nahous, Dulux Paint, Livespot 360, and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, DWL 2025 underscored the power of design tourism as a driver of new industries and education in West Africa. For more information, visit www.designweeklagos.com.
