Italian designer Salone del Mobile debuts in Lagos, set to expand in other African countries
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Salone del Mobile.Milano, an Italian furniture and interior design exhibition, has officially made its debut in Nigeria on Thursday during Design Week Lagos 2026, as part of its plan to expand across Africa.
The landmark gathering brought together international design leaders and the local creative ecosystem. Marco Sabetta, General Manager of the Salone del Mobile. Milano, and Marva Griffin Wilshire, Founder and Curator of SaloneSatellite, convened with Nigerian architects, interior designers, developers, business leaders, and institutions at the National Theatre, Lagos.
The event fostered direct dialogue aimed at deepening mutual understanding of the rapidly evolving Nigerian market and unlocking new collaborative opportunities between Nigerian design professionals and the Salone’s global network. This momentum will carry forward to Milan for the 65th edition of the Salone del Mobile at Rho Fiera Milano, taking place from 13 to 18 April 2027.
The strategic visit to Lagos reflects Salone’s mandate to combine the consolidation of established markets with the exploration of high-growth design territories. In 2025, Italian furniture exports to Africa reached 448.4 million euros (a 13.1% year-on-year growth), with Nigeria maintaining its position as the fourth-largest African market at 41.6 million euros—a 27% increase. First-half figures for 2026 show continued momentum, with Nigerian demand for Italian bathroom furniture surging by 108.6%.
Reflecting on the engagements in Lagos on Thursday, Marco Sabetta, General Manager of the Salone del Mobile. Milano, stated:
“The competitiveness of design companies depends on their ability to interpret different ways of living, cultures, and needs. Engaging with the Lagos community today provided our companies with invaluable new perspectives on products and solutions, while offering local talent direct access to international manufacturing expertise. We return to Milan enriched with new questions that will guide our future work.”
As part of the week’s highlights, Marva Griffin Wilshire was honoured at the inaugural IDEA Honours ceremony alongside Ghanaian-Scottish architect and author Lesley Lokko (Architectural Leadership Honour) and renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE (Cultural Impact Honour).
Griffin received the Architectural Legacy Honour in recognition of her transformative contribution to international design through SaloneSatellite.
The award plaque was designed by iconic Nigerian artist and architect Demas Nwoko, MFR.
Accepting the honour and speaking at the press briefing, Marva Griffin Wilshire shared:
“I am deeply honoured to have received this award. SaloneSatellite was built to give young creators a real chance to present their work, engage with industry, and find partners who believe in them. Being here in Lagos today allowed us to discover remarkable new African talent and build the conditions that will help young designers forge their paths globally.”
In addition to the official press conference, the schedule featured a high-level conversation between Marva Griffin and Titi Ogunfere, as well as a guided tour for press and delegates exploring the festival’s primary theme, Making a New Africa: From Material to Market.
The next chapter of African design cannot be about visibility alone,” said Titi Ogufere, Founder of Design Week Lagos. “Africa has extraordinary materials, knowledge, and creative talent. The opportunity now is to transform those ideas into products, production, and industries – asking what Africa will make next, how we will make it, and how design can drive industrial growth across the continent.”
Founded by Titi Ogufere, Design Week Lagos continues through 25 October 2026 across key cultural venues in the city, positioning Lagos as an essential global destination for design, innovation, and enterprise.
