BANJUL, The Gambia — Designers, models, buyers and other fashion professionals are expected to gather in The Gambia from 7 to 9 January 2027 for the Banjul Fashion Summit, a three-day event focused on creativity, commerce and collaboration.
The summit is initiated by Yaws, a Gambian-owned fashion enterprise, and is partnering with a host of organisations such as Catwalk4U – a fashion organisation based in the Netherlands – for catwalk and Runway production. The partnership aims to connect Gambian and African talent with international fashion networks while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and business development.
Scheduled to take place in Banjul, the summit will bring together people working across the fashion sector, from emerging designers and established brands to photographers, stylists, textile producers and entrepreneurs. “The event will give Gambian and African talent a stronger platform and encourage lasting professional relationships within the industry”, says Yawa Conateh, Founder and Creator, Banjul Fashion Summit (BFS).
BFS 2027 is expected to include runway presentations, panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions. Participants will have opportunities to present their work, exchange ideas and discuss the practical challenges facing fashion businesses, including access to finance, production capacity, marketing and entry into regional and international markets.
The summit comes at a time when African fashion is attracting greater attention from consumers and buyers abroad. Designers across the continent are pairing traditional textiles and craft techniques with contemporary forms, creating clothing that reflects local identity without being confined by it.
For The Gambia, the event could also help build links between fashion, tourism and the creative economy. January falls within the country’s tourism season, offering visiting delegates a chance to experience Gambian culture, food and hospitality alongside the summit’s official programme. It is also an opportune moment for Gambian diaspora community who holiday in The Gambia around that time of the year to also experience the event.
Banjul’s selection as host city carries particular significance. Though The Gambia is one of mainland Africa’s smallest countries, it has a growing community of designers, tailors, models and creative entrepreneurs. Many work with limited resources and modest public exposure, making events such as the summit an important route to wider recognition.
Organisers are expected to release further details about speakers, participating designers, registration and ticketing closer to the event.
The Banjul Fashion Summit will run from Thursday, 7 January, to Saturday, 9 January 2027.
