At the 2025 edition of the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons Africa (MNPIA) annual summit and awards held in Kigali, Rwanda, Nigerian designers emphasised that incorporating fashion into the event can serve as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy and economic empowerment.
Speaking to the media, Ambassador Dr. Kingsley Amafibe, author of Africa Fashion Designers and Lifestyle, highlighted the significance of fashion in African culture. He noted that the continent’s fashion industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, creating job opportunities and sustainable career paths for thousands of young people across Africa.
He described this as a sign that promotes peace and political stability across nations.
Amafibe said, “At a fashion runway, designers and a diverse audience come together under one roof, creating opportunities to foster peace and unity through fashion while empowering young Nigerians. The development of the African continent depends heavily on sustained peace and stability throughout its various regions.”
Meanwhile, fashion designer and chief executive officer of RnR Global Emporium, Mr. Ramalan Rotimi Buhari, stated that showcasing his designs on the runway in Kigali offered a significant global platform to celebrate Nigerian cultural heritage and boost the fashion industry.
Buhari said, “What you witnessed in Rwanda was the unveiling of the RnR modern luxury collection—a bold expression of African identity, excellence, purpose, and elegance.
Latest line captures Nigerian culture and tradition in every fabric and silhouette. Each piece is designed not only with style in mind but also with sustainability and resilience at its core. It represents the future of African fashion innovative, meaningful, and rich with storytelling.”
Buhari was honoured as one of the 2025 100 Most Notable Peace Icons Africa and was also inducted into the African-Asia Chamber of Commerce during the event.
