African furniture is no longer just about rustic wood and bright colors. From all over the world , including Nigeria, artisans and designers are reimagining the industry with modern craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural storytelling.
But scaling these innovations into global markets requires more than artistry. According to Vivian Sesi Godonuve, Event Manager at Atlantic Exhibition, the path forward lies in combining creativity with global standards, infrastructure, and trust.
“A chair crafted in Lagos doesn’t just serve a function, it tells a story,” Godonuve said. For her, what sets African furniture apart is its ability to marry heritage with functionality. Increasingly, artisans are working with indigenous woods, recycled metals, and natural fabric materials that not only resonate with sustainability-conscious global buyers but also carry the identity of African culture.
Yet, she emphasises that “Creativity alone isn’t enough.” To compete internationally, finishing, durability, and scalability must meet global benchmarks.
“That calls for investment in machinery, modern training, and digital platforms that can project African brands beyond borders,” Godonuve added.
The “Made in Nigeria” Challenge
For years, imported furniture has dominated African consumer preference, with many equating foreign goods with superior quality. But Godonuve insists this perception is shifting.
“To win trust, quality must be non-negotiable,” she says. “Local furniture should be stylish, functional, and aspirational, something consumers proudly display.”
Storytelling is equally crucial. A Nigerian-made dining set that carries the tale of local artisanship and sustainably sourced materials becomes more than a commodity; it becomes a statement of pride and identity.
The opportunity is enormous. Nigeria’s furniture market generated a revenue of $4.67 billion in 2025 and is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 0.65 percent (CAGR 2025-2030), according to Statista. Yet imports still account for over 60 percent of furniture sales, underlining the need for local players to close the trust gap.
Export barriers and opportunities
Despite global demand for authentic, sustainable furniture, African brands face logistical hurdles. High shipping costs, weak regional supply chains, and inconsistent standards continue to limit export potential.
“An artisan in Abuja could sell a table to Berlin,” Godonuve explains, “but without shared logistics hubs or export-ready clusters, scaling becomes nearly impossible.”
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Africa accounts for less than 1 percent of global furniture exports, even though it represents nearly 17 percent of the world’s population.
Bridging this gap requires government support, private investment in logistics, and stronger regional manufacturing ecosystems.
One of the greatest tensions in the industry lies between artistic creativity and mass production. Godonuve believes they can coexist.
“Creativity must be the soul, but scalability must be the engine,” she says. By adopting modular designs and digital fabrication processes, artisans can streamline production without losing cultural DNA. Collaborations between designers and manufacturers are also essential—pairing artistic vision with industrial efficiency.
FEWA’s Role
Events like the Furniture Expo West Africa (FEWA) are helping rewrite the narrative. “FEWA doesn’t just display furniture, it showcases stories of design excellence and heritage,” says Godonuve. The upcoming edition, slated for 19th–21st May 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, VI, Lagos, will spotlight Africa’s design voices to international buyers and investors.
For Godonuve, the lesson is clear: the world has much to learn from African artisans, especially the value of story-driven design. “If global industries embraced that philosophy, design everywhere would feel richer, more human, and ultimately more sustainable.”
As African brands navigate the delicate balance between creativity and scalability, the future looks promising. “With the right investments, infrastructure, and storytelling, ‘Made in Africa’ furniture may soon move from niche admiration to global leadership,” she added.
