Bellafricana’s ACE 2017 Advocates ‘Made-In-Nigeria’ Patronage

In continuation of the role it plays in the Nigerian economy by helping as many quality creative small businesses be at the forefront of the market, Bellafricana.com has also launched African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards) to encourage those engaged in creating richer platforms.

The Founder, Bukky Asehinde, wonders, “Why should we wait on financial backing from the government and big institutions to help this industry? When we can create a platform to connect these Afrocentric businesses, they are maximising raw materials in Nigeria (Africa), providing employment for local talents within the country and creating wealth for the Nation”.

According to her, young people shouldn’t be in the business of waiting for the government to fix every hole in the economy rather take-up creative and innovative ideas to make the economy even better.

“There has been a rise in the number of Afrocentric (made in Nigeria, Africa) brands that have great quality with little or no financing from both the government and bigger institutions. Bellafricana, an initiative with a focus on Made-in-Nigeria Non-oil products development where customers and suppliers engage and transact, aims to bridge the buyer-seller gap and create a wider outreach for Nigerian (African) products locally & globally,” she said.

Bukky Asehinde said that she aims to help creative Afrocentric businesses in Africa understand the business of a creative hence she created a platform to enable creative MSMEs thrive, whilst doing all it takes to bring the quality products to the forefront of the market.

“I so much believe that a support group/community for these businesses will enhance the Non-oil export in the Nigerian economy. Under a year, Bellafricana has over 200 Creative businesses subscribed to her platform and over 50 verified businesses. Research shows that about 52% of all small businesses in Nigeria are home-based, as you may already know, the growth of any Nation is dependent on the small businesses. What better way to connect these small businesses to their consumers than online?

“You must agree with her that Nigeria is an import driven nation and if we are looking to diversify and become an export driven nation, it starts from MSMEs. They are  creating jobs and empowering local talents”, she explained.

In her quest to bring as many quality Made-in-Nigeria (Africa) brands to the forefront of the market, Bukky has put together an initiative to Celebrate Small Creative Businesses with the aim of encouraging more talents in Nigeria (Africa) to look inwards, be original and create more globally acceptable brands.

An initiative called African Creative Exhibition and Awards (termed ACE Awards), backed by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and endorsed by Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nigeria-Britain Association.

The first of its kind in Nigeria (Africa), taking place on the 17th of April, 2017 (Easter Monday), a 3 phase event; Conference, Exhibition and Awards Gala. Both the Exhibition and the Conference will be held concurrently and the Awards will be held in a dinner gala to close the event.

“The watch word at Bellafricana is Quality, to this effect; the organisers of the Bellafricana ACE Awards have assured the availability of top quality creative Afrocentric businesses to exhibit. You will be able to access a wide variety of discounted quality made in Nigeria products all under one roof in these 6 focus categories; Arts & Crafts, Fashion, Health & Beauty, Home & Living, Food Produce & Snacks and Technology related products.

During the conference themed: ‘Practical Steps to taking your business Global’, keynote speaker: Mr Olusegun Awolowo, CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, will take the participants round the business sphere which will help them take critical decisions.

Others scheduled to speak at the Conference include: Marketing Your Creative Business Globally - Tobi Asehinde (CEO Vibe Web Solutions); How to Monetize your Creative Idea - Lola Coker-Esu (An International Speaker, CEO Lola Tips); Branding that speaks for you - MrLanreAdisa (CEO Noah's Ark); Taking Your Non-Oil Export Global (Export) - Ms. Sade Bembatoum-Young (CEO African Sustainable SME Export Trade Solutions); Sustainability and Succession Planning for Creative Businesses – Mrs Toki Mabogunje (CEO TMC & Co)

She further said that ACE awards themed: ‘Celebrating Creativity and Innovation’ has opened for nominations in various categories and Award competition through event.

“Bellafricana is always finding ways to help both budding and established creatives to harness the resources available to build their businesses stronger.

To this end, the conference will feature enlightening and engaging talks from renowned business men and women who have quality experience in these fields;

Voting is currently ongoing for the awards and ends on April 5. The categories include: Best Indigenous Textile Designer; Best Emerging Beauty Brand; Best Emerging Fashion Brand; Best Creative Solution (ICT); Best Supportive Made-in-Nigeria Celebrity of the Year; Best Eco-friendly Product Innovation; Best Innovative Product of the Year; Best Pioneer Craftsman/woman of the Year (Over 10 years) and Best Food Produce Innovation.

Others are Best Creative Kid Entepreneur; Best Creative Social Enterprise of the Year; Best Creative Kids Brand; Best Emerging Artist; Best Emerging Home & Lifestyle Brand and Best emerging African Brand.