Roberta Annan

Oftentimes, creatives in any industry are popularly referred to ‘dreamers’ , ‘unserious’ and often viewed as ‘eccentric outsiders’ until the results of our ‘ outlandish ‘ ideas begin to take shape. Words like ‘weird ‘ , ‘odd’ , or ‘crazy’ also cannot be excluded from our descriptive vocabulary. This is a burden most creative people bear silently as they work on solutions to problems they see clearly in their minds , problems the society would yet perceive in years or decades to come. The typical creative is a challenger of traditions, an independent thinker, a risk taker , a force to be reckoned with and time without number, underestimated. It is therefore with immense gratitude that I spotlight @aidawards , a global voice honoring African design, the first international program celebrating creativity and forward thinking designs across the African continent for recognizing and honoring my 24 months project ‘THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED’ a project that shows how fashion waste can be creatively used to create Haute couture dresses. This project was created in spite of personal health challenges, COVID 19, various uncertainties, existentialist questions and eventual spiritual rebirth. Needless to say, this is an honor I do not take lightly . I would like to thank @roberta.annan for her relentless effort towards the globalization of African fashion and design, a cause she’s being pushing for at least a decade, carrying this ‘calling’ on her head like ‘Agege bread’ like we say in Nigeria. To my fellow winners in other categories (Architectural design, Product design, Communication design, Spatial design and of course Fashion design), I say a big congratulations and Godspeed as we link arms to create a functional and unrecognizable Africa. 💛 JUPITER.

From Kibera to the world. 🌍✨ We are beyond honoured to announce that AfroWema has won two Africa International Design Awards 2026 in the categories of “Sustainable Fashion” and “Avant-Garde” with our collection Savage Beauty Heritage. This awards are not just ours. They belongs to every artisan, every woman, every young creative, every hand behind AfroWema’s journey. From the vibrant streets of Kibera to international runways, this recognition proves that sustainability, heritage, craftsmanship and impact can exist together in fashion. Founded with the mission of empowering communities through ethical and zero-waste fashion, AfroWema continues to celebrate African culture through one-of-a-kind pieces crafted with love, artistry and purpose. A special congratulations to our founder @tatxibio and designer @atema_ombeshi for bringing Savage Beauty Heritage to life. ✨ Special thanks to @roberta.annan for always believing in us and for all the support! Thank you to everyone who believes in our vision. This is only the beginning. #AfroWema #AIDAwards #SustainableFashion #AfricanFashion #EthicalFashion Kibera FashionWithImpact SlowFashion ZeroWasteFashion LuxuryFashion MadeInAfrica FashionRevolution

What does the future of African fashion look like and who gets to define it? ⁠ ⁠ Founder of the African Fashion Foundation and AIDA Awards Jury Member, Roberta Annan, shares her perspective in this powerful TEDx talk excerpt.⁠ ⁠ At the heart of her message is a call to recognise and invest in Africa’s own creative voice; one shaped by originality, cultural depth, and untapped potential. 💡⁠ ⁠ Her work continues to redefine access and opportunity, connecting African designers to the global stage while strengthening the foundations of the continent’s creative economy.⁠ ⁠ Watch the full video to hear more. 🎙️⁠ ⁠ Video credit: TEDx Talks⁠ ⁠ #aidawards #africandesign #africainternationaldesignawards #designaward #jurymember

Receiving this recognition at the @womenschoiceawards is a reminder of why I remain committed to empowering women, building opportunities, and creating spaces where African talent can rise boldly. My sincere appreciation to the Women’s Choice Awards Africa team for this acknowledgment and for creating a platform that celebrates women who are working to make a difference. This award is not just mine. It belongs to every woman breaking barriers, every young girl daring to dream, and every community working for change. The journey continues, and I will keep showing up with purpose, with integrity, and with passion.

I am deeply grateful for leaders who understand the true value of ethical leadership. In a recent video, Roberta Annan shared her support for the PK Amoabeng Leadership Foundation and the Scholars Program. She sees the urgent need for principled, value-driven leadership in Ghana and across Africa. Her endorsement reminds me why we started this journey: to nurture a generation of young leaders who will lead with honesty, discipline, and a commitment to serving others. Change is not about words; it is about investing in people who will embody those values and transform ourcontinent. To everyone watching: leadership is not inherited, it is cultivated. Let us champion values over convenience, integrity over shortcuts, and service over self-interest. The future of Africa depends on the leaders we raise today. #PKAmoabengLeadershipFoundation #ScholarsProgram #EthicalLeadership #IntegrityFirst #AfricanLeaders

Our sincere appreciation goes to the esteemed Judges of the 9th Ghana Beauty Awards for their integrity, dedication, and passion. 🌟 Your commitment to fairness and excellence helped us spotlight the very best in Ghana’s beauty industry. #GBA9 #GhanaBeautyAwards #ThankYouJudges #CelebratingExcellence #BeautyIndustryLeaders

FESTIVALS From: Ghana, The Orange Economy, by Roberta Annan. @roberta.annan The annual Afrochella @afrofuture (rebranded AfroFuture) Festival is a music and culture festival celebrating African music, art, fashion, and food. It attracts a global audience to Accra. The next AfroFuture Ghana is scheduled for December 28–29, 2025. #AfroFuture photo #APMWorldEmmanuelAgbeble

The ASOHOM Diplomatic Charity Gala 2025 was not just an event, it was a celebration of African brilliance, unity, and purpose. Every detail radiated creativity and cultural pride, reminding us of how powerful we are when Africa comes together with one heart. Immense admiration to our gifted designers @february_by_serwaa , @afrowema , @linesbychaab , @kondo_officiel , @victoriagracefashion , @modeljoyce15 , @complexdepartment Your creativity illuminated the night and reminded us why African fashion continues to inspire the world. Shout out to @rockydawuni for an excellent performance. Grateful to @malikameneofficial , @studio_chellah , the exceptional ASOHOM team, and our dedicated sponsors for curating and supporting such a meaningful and elegant experience. Special appreciation to my @africanfashionfoundation and @annancapital team, your dedication and passion continue to move this vision forward, and to @monteozafrica , you’re amazing! And to my guests @kelvincentgh @zynnellzuh @pyaddoboateng @binzi09 @hrhoseitutu @joselyn_dumas thank you for making the night special. Here’s to creativity, collaboration, and the unstoppable spirit of African excellence. #ASOHOMGala2025 #AfricanElegance #FashionWithPurpose #UnityInDiversity

AUDIO-VISUAL From: Ghana, The Orange Economy, by Roberta Annan. @roberta.annan Ghanaian investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker and lawyer, Anas Aremeyaw, has made more than 30 documentaries exposing corruption, often at personal risk. @anasaremeyawana In Ghana, a popular hero and the subject of graffiti, cartoons, and pop songs, he is portrayed as having the superpower of invisibility. #IAmAnas #AnasAremeyaw photo #SimoneSapia

On October 1st, the world lost not just a scientist, but a voice of hope, compassion, and courage. Dr. Jane Goodall spent over 60 years studying and protecting chimpanzees in Tanzania, reshaping the way we understand animals and ourselves. Through the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots & Shoots program, she inspired millions to take action for conservation, education, and peace. She dedicated her life to teaching us that humanity and nature are deeply connected, and that protecting our planet is an act of love. 🕊️ Dr. Goodall. Your legacy will live in everything you touched, and in every heart you inspired. 🤍 #JaneGoodall #LegacyOfHope #RestInPeace

COLLECTIVES From: Ghana, The Orange Economy, by Roberta Annan @roberta.annan Ghana Graffiti Collective brings together professional graffiti artists under the leadership of Moh Awudu (left) @mohawudu , probably the most renowned of all of Ghana’s many prodigious graffiti talents to have transformed the urban landscape of Accra. #MohAwudu @ghanagraffiti #GhanaGraffitiCollective Photo #NiiOdzenma @nfoningraphy

Nothing meaningful is ever achieved overnight. It takes dedication, sacrifice, and the courage to believe in possibilities even when they seem far away. This appointment by the @worldeconomicforum (WEF) is more than an honor. It is a reminder of the responsibility we carry. True progress begins when we invest where it creates the deepest ripple effect. Investing in women’s health is one of the smartest and most urgent investments of our time. It fuels stronger families, unlocks innovation, drives economic growth, and builds resilience across entire communities. I am honored to join other strong leaders in this journey, including Alaa Murabit, Amira Ghouaibi, Catharina Boehme, Claus Runge, Cuilin Zhang, Diana Han, Diene Keita, Fiona Marshall, The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Jacquelyn Caglia, Kathleen Sherwin, Karlee Silver, Lucy Pérez, Marie Lynn Miranda, Marisol Touraine, Michelle Longmire, Her Excellency Monica Geingos, Nandini Selvam, Natasha Poonawalla, Nawal Nour, Ng Boon Heong, Paula Bellostas Muguerza, Peter Anevski, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Regina Dugan, Sahil Tesfu, Sania Nishtar, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Trish Stroman, Winnie Byanyima, Yap-Seng Chong, and Her Excellency Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu. Together, we remain committed to shaping a future where women’s health is recognized as the foundation of lasting progress. #WorldEconomicForum #WomensHealth #InvestInWomen #Leadership #GlobalImpact #Equity #HealthForAll