By Josephine Agbonkhese

The Federal Ministry of Environment has officially endorsed the Meet Africa Fashion Festival, MAFEST, describing the international event as novel and worthy of its collaboration.

The fashion festival slated for the last quarter of 2024, is being organised by Mena Communications Limited in collaboration with Vanguard Media Group Limited and Modela Couture, with support from the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, NTDA; Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, NIDO Europe; Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Africa, NIDO Africa; PRTimes Africa and the Nigerian Fashion Magazine.

In a letter of endorsement addressed to the President of MAFEST, Mr. Charles Ozoemena, by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and signed by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Stanley Jonah, the Minister pledged the ministry’s full backing for the festival.

“It is exciting that the festival aims at celebrating the continent’s diverse cultures and traditions, using a circular economy approach. We believe that this aligns with the Federal Government’s Climate Change Act of 2021, as well as the
ministry’s efforts at reducing carbon emissions and mitigation of toxic waste in the country,” he said, alluding to an eco-friendly fashion workshop which is one of the scheduled sidelines of the festival.

“We are certain that our collaboration will not only increase the visibility of the Meet Africa Fashion Festival but also have a positive impact on the broader goals of promoting a healthy environment and economic empowerment which is one of our ministry’s objectives,” the minister said.

MAFEST is an international brand designed to be a convergence of key stakeholders in Africa’s fashion ecosystem and garment industry.
It is targeted at influencing African governments and financial institutions to invest in Africa’s fashion and garment industry.