Fashion runway promoted peace, economic empowerment at Kigali summit, say organisers

The organisers of the 100 most notable peace icons Africa (MNPIA) summit, held recently in Kigali, Rwanda, say the event featured a fashion runway to promote cultural diplomacy and economic empowerment across the continent.

Kingsley Amafibe, the project director for Africa, said fashion is a vital part of the African culture, with clothing reflecting individual stories, beliefs, and ethnic identities.

Amafibe said Africa’s fashion industry, now a multi-billion-dollar sector, provides employment for thousands of young people and offers promising career opportunities.

“The fashion runway brought designers and a diverse customer base together, creating new opportunities to foster peace and unity through fashion while empowering young Africans,” he said.

Ramalan Buhari, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of RnR Global Emporium and one of the designers featured on the runway, said the event showcased Africa’s rising influence in the global creative economy, where design, peacebuilding, and sustainable development intersect.

“The Kigali event put RnR in the global spotlight, promoting Nigerian cultural heritage and uniting Africa through creativity, innovation, and sustainability,” Buhari said.

“Our modern luxury collection celebrates bold African identity, excellence, and purpose, blending Nigerian culture and tradition with contemporary fabrics and sustainable craftsmanship. Each piece tells a story of heritage, resilience, and forward-thinking fashion.”