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By Chukwuma Umeorah
FashionEVO and 360 Creative Innovation Hub have completed a six-week accelerator programme aimed at strengthening the business capacity of emerging and early-stage African fashion entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to address structural and operational gaps within the continent’s fashion industry.
The initiative, known as the F.A.S.T Accelerator Programme (Fashion Advancement & Startup Training), was designed to improve business foundations, pricing models, production systems and market readiness among designers seeking to scale their operations.
The organisers stated that the programme ran in a hybrid format, with two weeks of virtual learning followed by four weeks of in-person training in Lagos. It focused on brand positioning, operational structure, growth strategy and sustainable business practices.
Founder of FashionEVO, Dr Yetty Ogunnubi, said the initiative was developed in response to gaps observed in the sector
“F.A.S.T was born out of a clear gap we continue to see in the African fashion ecosystem, incredible creative talent without the business structure needed to scale sustainably. At FashionEVO, we believe creativity must be matched with strategy, access, and opportunity. This accelerator is our commitment to equipping emerging designers with the tools, mentorship, and clarity required to build brands that can compete globally while remaining rooted in African identity,” she said.
She added that the curriculum was driven by a needs assessment process to ensure that the training aligned with the practical challenges faced by participants. Selected entrepreneurs also received mentorship from industry professionals and gained exposure to buyers, production partners and other stakeholders within the fashion value chain.
On her part, Founder of 360 Creative Innovation Hub, Blessing Ebere, said the programme integrated business training with technology and infrastructure support.
“At 360 Creative Innovation Hub, our work has always centered on removing barriers for emerging fashion entrepreneurs. As a Hub, we believe in embedding a technology-first ethos to scale creativity. This belief inspired our Fashion Acceleration Program, and it still fuels the F.A.S.T Acceleration Program today. We have combined practical business training, access to infrastructure, and hands-on mentorship into a support system that meets designers where they are,” she said.
According to her, the initiative went beyond theory. “It is about building viable fashion businesses, strengthening operational systems, and preparing designers for long-term growth and global relevance,” Ebere added.
