Ndey Bassin Faye did not arrive at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos empty-handed. The Gambian fashion entrepreneur came with a clear vision: build an internationally recognised brand by putting women at the centre, celebrating local culture, and championing African-made textiles.
For Faye and the fellow entrepreneurs who made the trip to Lagos, the event is about more than networking. It is a deliberate push beyond borders, a search for the kind of connections that can shift a small business into something the continent, and the world, takes seriously.
The Gambian fashion scene rarely gets the spotlight it deserves, and that is exactly what makes stories like Faye's worth watching. As Africa's creative economy continues to draw global attention, entrepreneurs from smaller markets are making clear they intend to be part of that conversation.
What comes out of those Lagos conversations could be telling.
Originally published by AllAfrica · info@allafrica.com (allAfrica).