Lagos Fashion Week has won the prestigious 2025 Earthshot Prize in the “Build a Waste-Free World” category, earning a £1 million grant to advance sustainable fashion across Africa.

Selected by Prince William and members of the Earthshot Prize Council, the winners were announced at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The prize recognises organisations and individuals creating scalable solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Founded in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele, Lagos Fashion Week was honoured for its strong commitment to circular fashion and waste reduction through initiatives like the “Green Access” programme. Over the years, the platform has evolved from a runway showcase into a full ecosystem promoting ethical sourcing, clean production, and circular design practices.

The £1 million grant will help expand these sustainability efforts, supporting designers, artisans, and youth-led projects focused on eco-friendly production and innovation. Akerele also announced plans to establish Africa’s first fully functional circular fashion hub in Lagos — one that will travel to other cities across the continent.