Salone del Mobile. Milano is entering Nigeria for the first time as part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with African markets. The initiative coincides with a 27 percent increase in Italian furniture exports to Nigeria in 2025, reaching €41.6 million, and an acceleration in demand for Italian bathroom furniture in the first half of 2026. The figures strengthen the commercial case for deeper engagement between Italian manufacturers and Nigeria’s architects, interior designers, property developers and wider creative industries.
The event took place during Design Week Lagos 2026 at the National Theatre, bringing together Marco Sabetta, general manager of Salone del Mobile. Milano, Marva Griffin Wilshire, founder and curator of SaloneSatellite, and Nigerian design professionals, business leaders and institutions. The discussions were aimed at improving understanding of the local market and opening pathways for collaboration with the international design industry.
Global design platforms are increasingly looking beyond Africa as a market for finished products, recognising the continent’s potential as a source of creative talent, materials, ideas and manufacturing partnerships. The development opens up opportunities to connect African design capabilities with international production networks and industrial development.
Milano, stated: “The competitiveness of design companies depends on their ability to interpret different ways of living, cultures, and needs. Engaging with the Lagos community today provided our companies with invaluable new perspectives on products and solutions, while offering local talent direct access to international manufacturing expertise. We return to Milan enriched with new questions that will guide our future work.”
The Nigerian engagement is expected to continue in Milan at the 65th edition of Salone del Mobile, scheduled for April 13–18, 2027, at Rho Fiera Milano.
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Africa’s design talent fuels global production
The Lagos programme also placed African design’s commercial future at the centre of discussions, with participants examining how creative talent and locally available materials can be translated into products, manufacturing capacity and sustainable industries.
Africa has extraordinary materials, knowledge, and creative talent. The opportunity now is to transform those ideas into products, production, and industries — asking what Africa will make next, how we will make it, and how design can drive industrial growth across the continent.”
Honoring African design’s rising international impact
A major highlight of the week was the recognition of Griffin Wilshire at the inaugural IDEA Honours ceremony, where she received the Architectural Legacy Honour for her contribution to international design through SaloneSatellite. The award plaque presented to Griffin Wilshire was designed by Demas Nwoko, a renowned Nigerian artist and architect.
Griffin Wilshire said the recognition was particularly meaningful in the context of meeting emerging African designers and considering how they could connect with international opportunities. “I am deeply honoured to have received this award. SaloneSatellite was built to give young creators a real chance to present their work, engage with industry, and find partners who believe in them,” she said.
“Being here in Lagos today allowed us to discover remarkable new African talent and build the conditions that will help young designers forge their paths globally,” she added.
