In a major move to boost Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has entered into a five-year partnership with Ananse Internet Group, a leading digital innovation promoter. The goal? To set up a nationwide network of creative design and innovation hubs—starting with Lagos.

The partnership, which was officially sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks the beginning of the Ananse Centre for Design project. The first of these centres is expected to open this year in Lagos, and it will serve as the blueprint for future hubs in each of the six geopolitical zones.

According to the Ministry, this partnership is perfectly aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It aims to drive economic diversification, job creation, and youth empowerment by investing in Nigeria’s fashion, leather, and digital storytelling sectors.

Speaking on the partnership, Minister Hannatu Musawa described it as a smart and strategic initiative that bridges creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.

“This partnership is a strategic move that embodies the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It’s about investing in our creative talent and giving them the tools they need to thrive, compete globally, and contribute to our national economy,” she said.

Under the terms of the MoU, the Federal Government will provide policy direction, funding, and infrastructure across selected locations. Meanwhile, Ananse Internet Group will bring its technical know-how, digital platforms, and internationally certified training resources to manage and run the centres.

Each creative hub is designed to empower young talents and MSMEs, with special attention to women and youth-led businesses. Over the course of the program, more than 5,000 Nigerians will receive training and support in areas like fashion design, leatherwork, business development, and digital commerce.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Successful trainees will be connected to Ananse’s cross-border e-commerce platform, giving them direct access to global markets for fashion and other creative goods.

To guide the initiative’s success, a joint committee will be established to oversee the project and monitor impact. Key performance indicators include:

Number of creatives trained

Number of startups launched

Jobs created

Local-to-global partnerships formed

Additionally, the Ministry and Ananse will work together on research and data collection to inform future policy decisions for the creative industry’s growth and regulation.

With this partnership, Nigeria is taking a bold step toward becoming a continental hub for creative talent and digital innovation. It’s a practical demonstration of what can happen when government and private sector collaborate for national development—empowering creatives, building businesses, and reshaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.