Lagos: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the organisers assured prospective participants and stakeholders that all existing registrations and tickets remained valid for the new dates. They expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the postponement and thanked participants for their understanding, patience, and continued support. Despite 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 highlighted that 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.
Oyelade emphasized that TASE is designed to change that narrative by providing practical solutions that will help artisans build sustainable and profitable enterprises. The summit aims to bring together artisans, apprentices, entrepreneurs, policymakers, financial institutions, corporate organisations, and development partners to explore pathways for economic inclusion. It would focus on capacity building, mentorship, access to funding, market opportunities, and business formalisation.
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.
Oyelade disclosed that discussions were ongoing with key government institutions and development agencies to strengthen the summit’s impact and national reach. He mentioned that 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.
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.