Africa: CANEX Opens Doors for Gambian Fashion Entrepreneurs Seeking Global Recognition

What the report says

Gambian fashion entrepreneur Ndey Bassin Faye is using CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, to seek partners and wider exposure for her brand, Bassin’s Couture, while keeping a focus on women’s empowerment, local culture and African-made textiles. The AllAfrica report says she is attending the four-day event with fellow Gambian entrepreneurs Mariama Jallow and Ida, with participation supported by the Andandorr programme and EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries.

Faye, who founded Bassin’s Couture in 2016, wants to expand internationally without losing the brand’s Gambian identity. She says one of the main hurdles for African fashion businesses is sourcing materials on the continent, noting that designers often find it easier to obtain some supplies from Europe or China than from nearby African markets. She hopes CANEX will help her connect with suppliers, other designers and potential collaborators.

The article places her experience within a wider industry discussion at CANEX, where fashion experts and business advisers are addressing challenges such as manufacturing capacity, quality control, pricing and marketing. A consultant quoted by AllAfrica argued that African brands need stronger local production networks and clearer customer targeting to grow sustainably.

CANEX WKND is organised by Afreximbank and hosted by the Nigerian government. The event brings together creatives, investors and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora, with the broader goal of supporting partnerships, investment and access to global markets for the continent’s creative industries.