The Creative Economy Boom: Film, Music, and Fashion Driving Lagos's Exports

For decades, the narrative of the Nigerian economy was written in oil. However, in 2025, a new script has taken center stage. Lagos has transitioned from being a mere consumer of global culture to one of the world’s most influential exporters of creativity. The "Creative Economy," spanning film (Nollywood), music (Afrobeats), and fashion, is projected to reach a staggering $15 billion valuation by the end of this year, contributing significantly to the nation’s non-oil GDP.

The Nigerian film industry, centered in Lagos, is now the world’s second-largest film producer by volume. However, the real shift in 2025 is in quality and reach. Leveraging global streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax, Lagosian filmmakers are exporting Nigerian stories to millions of homes in the US, Europe, and Asia. This "digital export" model has moved Nollywood beyond the local market, attracting massive foreign investment into state-of-the-art studios and post-production facilities within the city. The industry now employs over 4 million people, making it a critical engine for youth employment.​

​The "Lagos Sound" a infectious blend of traditional Yoruba rhythms, highlife, and contemporary pop has become a global commodity. Afrobeats is no longer just a genre; it is a premium export. Lagos-based artists are consistently topping global charts and selling out international arenas like the O2 in London and Madison Square Garden. The export value here isn't just in the music itself, but in the intellectual property, licensing, and international tours that bring foreign currency back into the Lagosian ecosystem. In 2024 alone, the music industry generated an estimated $10.8 billion, with 2025 figures expected to climb as collaboration with international labels intensifies.

​Lagos Fashion Week has evolved from a local runway show into a major trade event. The fashion industry in Nigeria, valued at over $4.7 billion, is increasingly focused on the export of "Made in Nigeria" luxury and streetwear. With a growing global demand for sustainable and ethically sourced textiles, Lagosian designers are leveraging traditional fabrics like Aso-oke and Adire, modernizing them for the global market. The rise of e-commerce has allowed small-scale designers in Lagos to bypass traditional barriers, selling directly to customers in New York, London, and Paris.

Despite this boom, the sector faces hurdles such as infrastructure gaps and the need for stronger intellectual property protection. However, the government’s "Content is the New Oil" initiative is working to provide the necessary policy framework to sustain this growth. As Lagos continues to refine its creative output, it is proving that imagination and culture are perhaps the most renewable and lucrative resources Nigeria has to offer.