By Victor Okoye
Say it Loud Africa has announced the postponement of its maiden edition of The Artisan Summit and Expo (TASE 2026), a national initiative aimed at empowering artisans through business development, financial inclusion and skills enhancement.
The organisation said the event, initially scheduled for an earlier date, would now hold from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, due to unforeseen circumstances.
It assured prospective participants and stakeholders that all existing registrations and tickets remained valid for the new dates.
The organisers expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the postponement and thanked participants for their understanding, patience and continued support.
Albeit the adjustment, Say it Loud Africa reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a transformative platform aimed at addressing challenges limiting artisans’ growth and economic advancement.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Mr Femi Oyelade, Advocate for Artisans and Creative Director of Say it Loud Africa, said the summit was conceived to bridge long-standing gaps within Nigeria’s informal sector.
He said artisans remained a critical component of the nation’s economy but continued to face challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate business structures and insufficient visibility.
“Artisans contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy and employment landscape, yet many operate without access to formal financing, business development support or structured growth opportunities.
“TASE is designed to change that narrative by providing practical solutions that will help artisans build sustainable and profitable enterprises,” he said.
Oyelade said the summit would bring together artisans, apprentices, entrepreneurs, policymakers, financial institutions, corporate organisations and development partners to explore pathways for economic inclusion.
He noted that the event would focus on capacity building, mentorship, access to funding, market opportunities and business formalisation.
“We want to see artisans transition from informal operators to structured businesses that are registered, bankable and globally competitive.
“When artisans become properly structured, they gain access to financing, larger markets and opportunities that can transform their businesses and livelihoods,” he said.
He added that the summit would adopt an innovative “edutainment” approach, combining learning, exhibitions, networking and entertainment to create an engaging experience for participants.
According to him, attendees would have opportunities to showcase products and services, connect with potential investors and customers, and gain practical insights from industry experts.
“The goal is not just to organise another conference. Our objective is to build a movement that elevates artisans, creates wealth, generates employment and contributes meaningfully to national development.
“We are creating a platform where artisans can learn, connect, showcase their skills and discover opportunities that can improve their economic prospects,” he said.
Oyelade disclosed that discussions were ongoing with key government institutions and development agencies to strengthen the summit’s impact and national reach.
He said formal endorsements and strategic partnerships involving the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be unveiled in the coming weeks.
He called on public and private sector stakeholders, development partners and financial institutions to support the initiative in order to unlock the potential within Nigeria’s artisan community.
NAN reports that the three-day summit will feature panel discussions, exhibitions, masterclasses, mentorship sessions, product showcases and networking engagements designed to deliver practical value to participants.
The event is expected to attract artisans from diverse sectors, including construction, fashion, beauty, automotive services, furniture making, creative enterprises and technology-driven trades.
“For additional information and registration details, interested participants can visit theartisanhub.ng.”
Edited by Tosin Kolade
