I want us to go international. I want our brand to be seen and to be known internationally,
says Ndey Bassin Faye, founder of Bassin’s Couture.
For Faye and her fellow Gambian designers, expanding beyond domestic borders requires bridging a fractured continental supply chain where sourcing fabrics from Europe or China is often easier than buying from neighboring African nations. Established in 2016, Faye is joined by fellow Gambian fashion and tailoring entrepreneurs Mariama Jallow and Ida at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria. Their attendance at the four-day gathering is sponsored by the Andandorr programme, with support from EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries.
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria, CANEX WKND gathers creatives, investors, and policymakers from music, film, fashion, sport, publishing, gastronomy, and visual arts. For the attendees, the event offers a platform to meet potential partners, connect with suppliers, learn from industry experts, and explore new markets.
Sourcing Hurdles Across African Borders
While the continent possesses rich textile traditions and a growing community of designers, connecting the different parts of the value chain remains difficult for emerging brands.
One of the challenges we face is the difficulty of sourcing diverse fabrics, particularly those outside of Gambian culture,
Faye explains.
At the heart of her work is a commitment to women and girls. Through Bassin’s Couture, she uses fashion as a business opportunity and a tool to empower women to pursue entrepreneurship while promoting Gambian culture through design. To build a sustainable enterprise that celebrates local resources, Faye incorporates hand-woven fabrics from the Gambia’s tradition of handweaving, utilizing locally grown cotton.
Good evening from Lagos👋 Three Gambian fashion entrepreneurs, Mariama, Ndey Basin & Ida, are at CANEX WKND 2026 with support from EU YEP – Tourism & Creative IndustriesIndustries. It provides a platform for partnerships, investment & access to global markets. 🙏@EUinTheGambia pic.twitter.com/FknRD1J1ih
Addressing Structural Manufacturing Limits in Lagos
During a masterclass focused on strengthening marketing management and expanding into global markets, luxury brand consultant Anita Ehui highlighted the structural difficulties affecting African fashion businesses.
I think we have a big manufacturing problem, whether in textiles or production itself, and that makes things difficult,
Ehui said.
She explained that while many designers aspire to manufacture their products entirely on the continent, limitations in material availability, production capacity, and quality often force compromises on pricing or design. Ehui encouraged entrepreneurs to prioritize African sourcing and production wherever possible to help strengthen the continent’s manufacturing ecosystem.
She also cautioned against overcomplicating business decisions, such as designing based solely on personal preferences rather than genuine customer demand. Identifying the correct target customer and communicating product value effectively remain crucial for growth.
CANEX is giving fashion designers a platform. It is also connecting some of the brands with customers,
Ehui stated, noting that gatherings create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. When we gather at CANEX, there is always a conversation that can spark a collaboration or even open your mind to something new.
The four-day gathering continues in Lagos as creators engage with suppliers, explore new markets, and negotiate potential partnerships designed to expand the reach of African fashion internationally.
