Global design industry leaders are exploring manufacturing and commercial partnerships with Nigerian businesses as growing demand for Italian furniture and interior products strengthens Nigeria’s position in Africa’s design market.
Executives from Salone del Mobile.Milano, the international furniture and design exhibition, visited Lagos on Thursday as part of Design Week Lagos 2026. The engagement brought together international representatives, Nigerian architects, interior designers, property developers and business leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Figures presented by the organisation show that Italian furniture exports to Africa reached €448.4 million in 2025, an increase of 13.1 per cent from the previous year. Exports to Nigeria rose by 27 per cent to €41.6 million, making the country the fourth-largest African market for Italian furniture that year.
Demand has continued into 2026, with Nigerian purchases of Italian bathroom furniture increasing by 108.6 per cent in the first half of the year.
Salone del Mobile General Manager Marco Sabetta said engagement with Nigerian professionals would help international companies understand local lifestyles, preferences and market needs while creating opportunities to exchange manufacturing expertise.
“The competitiveness of design companies depends on their ability to interpret different ways of living, cultures, and needs,” Sabetta said.
Design Week Lagos founder Titi Ogufere said Africa needed to turn its creative talent and material resources into commercially viable products and industries, rather than focus solely on visibility.
“Africa has extraordinary materials, knowledge, and creative talent. The opportunity now is to transform those ideas into products, production, and industries,” Ogufere said.
Running until October 25, Design Week Lagos 2026 is themed “Making a New Africa: From Material to Market.” Its exhibitions, discussions and industry engagements aim to connect designers with manufacturers and wider commercial markets.
The initiative highlights an opportunity for Nigerian businesses to build local production capacity, develop competitive products and establish stronger links with international design markets.
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