Nkiru Achukwu: Global stage presence makes powerful economic statement

Through Zephans & Co, Nkiru Achukwu is not only showcasing Nigerian craftsmanship but actively converting it into a valuable export, directly generating foreign exchange (FX) and charting a course for the nation’s post-oil future.

Huge economic potentials…

The Nigerian fashion eCommerce market, which generated $487 million in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow 10-15 percent year-on-year (YoY), provides a powerful platform for this global reach.

According to a 2023 report by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Africa’s creative industry is projected to be worth nearly $200 billion and could create over 20 million jobs by 2030.

The fashion industry alone is a dominant force, accounting for a significant portion of this growth and increasingly seen as a critical vector for intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, which aims to unlock a $3.4 trillion market.

This underscores that the cultural movement represented by leaders like Achukwu is, in fact, a formidable financial engine for the continent.

At UNGA, another kind of summit unfolded…

As world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) another kind of summit unfolded, one of voices, vision, and victory.

Nkiru Achukwu, Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and founder of the celebrated ready-to-wear label Zephans & Co, stood among an inspiring group of African women leaders at a special reading of “Her Story”, the acclaimed anthology curated by Stephanie Busari, award-winning journalist and Head of CNN’s Africa Bureau.

The evening celebrated African women’s powerful, personal, and unfiltered voices. “Her Story” brings together remarkable women who have not only built businesses and movements but have also redefined how the world sees African leadership. Among the special guests were featured co-authors Dr. Kemi DaSilva, Busingiye Matsiko, and Mary Dinah, women whose journeys reflect the courage and creativity shaping Africa’s future.

For Achukwu, the moment was both reflective and prophetic. Through Zephans & Co., she has transformed Nigeria’s fashion retail space, creating a brand that honors tradition while embracing global sophistication. Her designs are more than fabric and form.

They celebrate identity, craftsmanship, and the quiet power of women who wear their culture with pride. Her journey from the streets of Lagos to global recognition confirms what can happen when purpose meets perseverance and faith.

Achukwu’s presence on this global stage is itself a powerful economic statement. She embodies a new cohort of African women entrepreneurs who are transforming national economies.

Telling their own stories…

Stephanie Busari’s vision for Her Story rests on a profound idea that when African women tell their own stories, they reclaim the narrative not just for themselves, but for generations to come. The anthology has become a cultural landmark, amplifying the voices of women leading across business, media, philanthropy, and social transformation.

“African women are not waiting to be written into history; we are writing it ourselves, one story, one enterprise, one act of courage at a time,” Achukwu said. “What Stephanie Busari has done with Her Story is more than a book; it is a declaration that we are no longer subjects of the African story, we are its authors shaping the narrative, steering the legacy, and showing the world what true leadership looks like.”

Among the book’s standout contributors, Kemi DaSilva is recognised for her groundbreaking work with the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), which continues to fight gender-based violence and human trafficking through advocacy, education, and survivor care.

Busingiye Matsiko, a Ugandan trailblazer, remains a champion for mentorship and enterprise across East Africa. At the same time, Mary Dinah, known for her humanitarian and employment initiatives, has dedicated her career to creating pathways for women’s economic independence and equality.

Together, these women embody the brilliance and compassion that define Africa’s new leadership era, where influence is measured in power and purpose.

As the world reflects on the decisions and declarations of UNGA 2025, Her Story stands as a quiet revolution in itself: proof that storytelling is not soft power but it is true power. Because when African women tell their stories, the world does not just listen. The world learns.