With just three days until the curtain rises on its seventh edition, Design Week Lagos (DWL) is gearing up to once again redefine the boundaries of African creativity, transforming Nigeria’s dynamic megacity into a global hub of innovation and cultural exchange. Running from October 23 to 28, 2025, this year’s festival – themed “Made in Africa: Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures” – promises an unprecedented citywide immersion, blending visionary design with economic opportunity under the auspices of the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Tourism.
Since its debut in 2019, DWL has evolved from a niche platform into Africa’s foremost celebration of design excellence, hosting hundreds of talents from across the continent and its diaspora. Signature projects like the Netflix documentary Made by Design, the Made by Design Showcase, and the Design + Innovation Exhibition have amplified African voices globally, reframing the narrative around the continent’s creative ingenuity. Founded by Titi Ogufere, CEO of Essential Media Group, DWL continues to position Lagos as the creative heartbeat of Africa—where design intersects with tourism, manufacturing, and sustainable growth.
As anticipation builds, Ogufere’s vision remains clear: “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.” With more than 100 activations planned across all 20 local government areas, DWL 2025 is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors and generate upwards of 250 million media impressions, reinforcing its growing role in fostering design tourism across West Africa.
Backed by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and platinum sponsors Tiger Beer and Livespot 360, DWL 2025 will unfold across six dynamic days, featuring exhibitions, talks, installations, studio tours, and partner events designed to engage industry professionals, students, and local communities alike.
A Roadmap to the Festival’s Unmissable Highlights
Kicking off on October 23, the festival’s programming will anchor key venues such as Nahous at the Federal Palace Hotel and Livespot Entertarium in Lekki, while radiating into design districts across Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Yaba.
Design + Innovation Exhibition (October 23–26 | Nahous, Federal Palace)
Curated by Paris-born, Dakar-based designer Bibi Seck, co-founder of the acclaimed studio Birsel + Seck, this exhibition will feature over 100 trailblazing works spanning furniture, lighting, textiles, and industrial design. Visitors can expect a bold mosaic of African creativity—pieces that merge ancestral craftsmanship with sustainable innovation—showcasing how design can drive industrial transformation and local manufacturing.
Made by Design Show (October 23–26 | Livespot Entertarium)
Positioning Lagos as Africa’s interior design capital, Nigeria’s largest interiors trade exhibition will host more than 100 premium brands. Highlights include Woodstyles’ artisanal woodworking, Esorae Homes’ bespoke furnishings, ACTIU’s ergonomic solutions, Mimz Interiors’ luxurious accents, and IO Furniture’s modular innovations. The event will serve as a powerful bridge between creators and commerce, with interactive displays and exclusive networking sessions.
DWL Talks & Dialogue in Design and Development (October 23–25 | Livespot Entertarium)
Over two intellectually charged days, DWL Talks will convene architects, developers, manufacturers, and policymakers for conversations exploring design’s role in shaping the built environment. Confirmed speakers include Bibi Seck, architect Victoria Adesanmi, developer Myles Igwebuike, AIA President Yew Kee Cheong, and 3C Awards founder Astrid Hébert. Discussions will span eco-conscious urbanism, manufacturing scalability, and the intersection of design, technology, and policy.
Student Design Competition (October 26 | Livespot Entertarium)
In partnership with Caverton Marine, DWL’s Student Design Competition will challenge young designers to reimagine maritime mobility in Africa—addressing sustainable transport and coastal resilience. The competition will be judged by Swiss designer Kurt Merki Jr., with winners gaining mentorship and visibility, underscoring DWL’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Partner & Citywide Events
Beyond its main venues, the festival will extend into over 100 partner activations, pop-ups, and exhibitions across Lagos. Highlights include Roots & Resilience at the Federal Palace Hotel, Design Intersect 2025 at SOTO Gallery, and the launch of the Institute of Professional Interior Designers & Product Inventors (IPIDPI) at Alliance Française. Studio tours, workshops, and screenings will weave through neighborhoods, ensuring every corner of the city resonates with creative energy.
From the opening ceremony on October 22, where Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka will deliver remarks on the government’s role in elevating the creative economy, to the closing activations on October 28, DWL 2025 is set to be a landmark celebration. As Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, affirmed in recent previews, “Such events are vital in fueling new industries, education, and global visibility.”
In an era where African design is synonymous with reinvention and resilience, this edition arrives at a defining moment. Social media buzz already teems with previews—designers teasing installations inspired by heritage textiles, brands hinting at live demos, and international tastemakers confirming attendance. As Lagos counts down, DWL 2025 stands ready not only to inspire but to build the blueprint for Africa’s creative future.
Design Week Lagos 2025 opens on October 23. For the full programme, tickets, and updates, visit www.designweeklagos.com.
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ABOUT DESIGN WEEK LAGOS
Design Week Lagos (DWL) is Africa’s leading annual design festival, founded in 2019 by Essential Media Group (EMG). Dedicated to celebrating and advancing African design, DWL connects local innovation with global dialogue through exhibitions, talks, competitions, and creative partnerships. Guided by its founding vision, “Made in Africa,” DWL champions design as a driver of economic growth, education, and global visibility—cementing Lagos as the creative and cultural capital of Africa.
