Silkcoat, a Turkish company, has partnered with Threads of Africa Fashion Week, a Nigerian-owned coordinating platform of fashion stakeholders, to empower grassroots female fashion designers through a N7.5 million donation.

Baris Yerlikaya, Silkcoat’s marketing and sales manager in Nigeria, stated this during the donation presentation ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja.

The donation is targeted at skills development, capacity building and sustainable business startup and growth for only five females at the grassroots within the fashion industry.

Mr Yerlikaya said that the initiative aligns with the company’s broader corporate social responsibility and empowerment objectives in Nigeria.

According to him, the Silkcoat company recognises Nigeria as the giant of Africa and one of the largest fashion trade hubs on the continent, with vast creative potential capable of competing favourably on the global stage if adequately supported.

He explained that the donation was intended as a direct empowerment intervention, noting that it costs an average of N1.5 million per beneficiary to acquire professional training and establish a viable fashion business.

He further disclosed that the initiative was part of several empowerment programmes being implemented by the company, with a special focus on women and girls to promote inclusion, creativity, and economic independence.

Mr Yerlikaya said Silkcoat had also invested in social impact projects across Nigeria, including the sinking of over 100 water boreholes in Sokoto, Maiduguri and Kano states.

This, he said, was to support access to clean water and encourage school attendance among pupils in primary and secondary schools.

He added that the company had sponsored football tournaments among painters in the same states, where participating teams were awarded N100,000 each, as part of efforts to promote unity, recreation and community development.

According to him, Silkcoat’s long-term objective is to attract more Turkish investors to Nigeria to support local industries, stimulate job creation, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

Aminu Aminu, director of administration at Threads Africa Fashion, expressed appreciation to the Turkish group for the partnership, which has empowered five grassroots female designers.

Mr Aminu said the 2025 fashion week, scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2026, would focus on promoting and showcasing Nigeria’s and Africa’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience.

Mr Aminu noted that the event would place strong emphasis on celebrating African creativity and cultural identity, while also attracting international partners and investors interested in Africa’s growing creative economy.

He disclosed that discussions had already been initiated with the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, which he described as a key stakeholder within the government sector.

He added that other ministries involved include the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, to ensure smooth travel documentation and logistics for international participants.

Mr Aminu further stated that interactive sessions had also been initiated with the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, reflecting strong government support for the initiative.

He said the event, which would unveil the five emerging fashion designers, would also provide a platform for them to showcase their creativity and pitch their brands to foreign investors for potential partnerships and investments.

Mr Aminu said that certificates of training and empowerment would be issued through government-accredited skill acquisition centres and universities.

This, he said, would provide official recognition of the skills and authenticity of the five empowered designers’ brands, thereby enhancing trustworthiness and credibility and attracting foreign investment.

(NAN)