Design Week Lagos 2026

Design Week Lagos is Africa's leading annual design festival, established to advance design as a strategic driver of innovation, industry, and cultural development across the continent. The 2026 edition, scheduled from October 18 to 25, will be held at the National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria, with the flagship Design & Innovation Exhibition taking place from October 21 to 25.

The festival's theme, "Making a New Africa," reflects on design as a catalyst for transformation, identity, innovation, and economic opportunity. The sub-theme, "From Material to Market: Designing for Scale," focuses on the journey from idea to production, addressing how African creativity can evolve into scalable systems, products, and commercially viable solutions.

Design Week Lagos transforms the city into a vibrant design ecosystem through exhibitions, trade showcases, talks, competitions, training programs, and partner-led events. Notable components include the Made by Design Show, Nigeria's premier interiors and furniture trade exhibition, and the Design & Innovation Exhibition, presenting new ideas, experimental thinking, emerging talent, and future-focused design from Nigeria and across Africa.

The event is open to designers, students, manufacturers, and creative businesses, offering multiple ways to participate in the ecosystem. Attendees can engage in exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, and networking events, making it an essential platform for those interested in the future of African design.