In 2024, when the global art market shrank by 12%, African women artists not only held their ground but they led the way. Despite this decline in the global market, they grew against the tide and made up 52.8% of African art sales valuing at $22 million, according to African Business. The number of women artists represented in these auction sales went up to 452 in this year from 288 in 2023.  

African women have excelled in the global art market, with women contributing to the majority share of auction sales for two consecutive years. The top five highest-priced African artworks were all by women in 2024, with Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu being the best-selling African artist. Her painting titled ‘Mumbaphilia’ sold for $5.8 million at a Christie’s auction. Mehretu also holds the record of highest sale price for an artwork by an African artist at Sotheby’s, with her piece titled ‘Walkers with the Dawn and Morning (2008)’ selling for $10.7 million in 2023. 

While the success of African artists in auction sales is a testament to their resilience against the tide of the contracting global market, the ways in which African women are combining art and business goes beyond conventional auction sales. Following are a few examples of art entrepreneurship in Africa beyond paintings and sculptures.

Clothing and Fashion

Women across the world have been central to the fashion industry for ages, with the field being inseparable from art and politics. Similarly, for African women, clothing has historically been a canvas for their art and cultural expression, with fashion being a strong part of their identity, revolutions and collective heritage.

In recent times, many African women have brought this bond between African art, culture and fashion to the spotlight. Designers from the region have incorporated African heritage into their work, while others collaborate with women from indigenous communities to create their fashion. 

• For instance, South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu uses her self-titled luxury brand to highlight important social issues like sexism and femicide in the region. 
• Amaka Osakwe from Nigeria is another designer who blends traditional African art with contemporary styles, while employing local artisans to sustain their livelihoods through her brand Maki Oh. 

In 2022, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London held an exhibition with the theme Africa Fashion, with this being the first time in the museum’s history that an exhibition was held solely for African fashion –  giving a platform to designers from more than 20 countries in the region. As per the African Development Bank Group, the African fashion market was valued at over $31 billion in 2020, and this value has been projected for steady growth over the years.

Contemporary Artisanal Craft

Closely linked to the fashion market is the artisanal craft industry, which is deeply embedded in Africa’s heritage. Local and indigenous artisans have historically been at the core of economies worldwide and have historically been overlooked in the modern art markets. In Africa, there is a diverse and vast history of artisanal culture, with some areas where such craft is prevalent including basketry, pottery, candle making, jewellery and metal work. 

In recent times, the work of local women practising artisanal crafts has been emphasised through initiatives such as the #chooseartisan campaign. The emphasis of campaigns and organisations seeking to center artisanal crafts in Africa is on ethical consumer practices, supporting local communities, and keeping the diverse art heritage of the region alive. 

Most artisanal crafts are made by small businesses with women at their core. Some examples include Swazi candles and Gone Rural in Eswatini, and handwoven baskets made by Batwa women in Uganda. Online platforms such as Kenyan Crafts Company and African Rainbow Craft are working to restore long-overdue recognition to local artists in a field where many have profited from their work without giving due credit to the creators or respecting the creative process

In 2024, the global handicrafts market was valued at $787.85 billion and has been projected to reach $2403.60 billion by 2034 according to a report by Expert Market Research. This gives a great opportunity for further growth of this constantly evolving industry in the African region. 

Artistic Spaces and Events

With much deserved spotlight being shone on artisans and fashion designers as art entrepreneurs, it is imperative to note that the art industry is not made up of only the people who create the art. Those who facilitate the storytelling, promotion and the sale of the art are integral members of this industry. 

Many African women are redefining art entrepreneurship by facilitating the local and global recognition of African artists. They develop platforms for the appreciation of art, the facilitation of cultural and artistic dialogue, and the preservation of regional heritage. These include galleries, exhibitions, and industry events such as:

• Tokini Peterside from Nigeria is the founder of Art X Collective, Lagos, which is considered to be West Africa’s premiere international art fair. 
• Marie-Cécile Zinsou from Benin established the Zinsou Foundation in Cotonou with the foundation’s flagship project being the Zinsou Art Museum, which serves as a hub for contemporary art. 

Looking ahead, historically…

These are just three of the many innovative ways in which African women have positioned themselves at the intersection of art and business. While fashion, cultural spaces and artisanal craft have all been engraved in the region’s history for long, the innovation lies in the way African women have curated these into businesses which appeal to the modern audience and consumers. 

One of the key players in the rise of many art entrepreneurs in Africa is the growing digitisation and usage of the internet. This allows small businesses to create an online presence for various events and galleries to go global. Similarly, digital art which combines technology with traditional African art forms is also being welcomed in the market.  

Art has a way of uniting people, trailblazing revolutions, and echoing messages that transcend boundaries- and this is especially true for African women in art.