By Francis Ajuonuma
The Government of Kenya has officially endorsed Africa’s Next Super Model (ANSM) 2026, the continental modelling initiative founded by Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and model scout Joan Okorodudu, describing it as a strategic platform for tourism promotion, cultural diplomacy and the growth of the creative economy.
The endorsement was conveyed by Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, State Department for Tourism, in a letter dated August 6, 2026, signed by the Principal Secretary, Amb. (Prof.) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, and addressed to Okorodudu, Managing Director and CEO of ISIS Models/Africa’s Next Super Model.
The ministry also recognised Africa International Fashion Week (AIFW) as a strategic tourism and creative economy event capable of enhancing Kenya’s international visibility and contributing to tourism growth.
Bitok said the Kenyan government had prioritised the creative economy as a key driver of economic transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), citing its contribution to employment creation, youth empowerment, innovation, exports and tourism.
“The Ministry officially endorses Africa’s Next Super Model (ANSM) 2026 and recognises the Africa International Fashion Week (AIFW) as a strategic event that will contribute to tourism promotion, destination marketing, cultural diplomacy, and the growth of Kenya’s creative economy,” Bitok stated.
He said Kenya would leverage ANSM’s continental reach because of its capacity to identify, nurture and showcase emerging African modelling talent while promoting African fashion, culture, innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to the Principal Secretary, the initiative attracts “participants, fashion designers, photographers, media houses, investors, and international audiences from across Africa and beyond.”
Bitok also highlighted the emergence of fashion tourism as an important niche tourism product, complementing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, cultural tourism, shopping tourism and destination branding.
“We believe that our partnership will enhance tourism growth in Africa,” he said.
The ministry said the event would showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage through fashion while positioning Kenya as an attractive destination for tourism and investment.
“This event will highlight Africa’s rich cultural heritage through fashion while positioning Kenya as an attractive tourism and investment destination,” Bitok stated.
The State Department said ANSM 2026 and AIFW would contribute strategically to tourism promotion, destination branding, cultural diplomacy, and the development of the creative economy.
It consequently urged the Kenya Tourism Board to explore possible partnerships with the event proponents.
The endorsement represents significant institutional recognition for Okorodudu’s ANSM initiative, strengthening its role as a continental platform for discovering and promoting emerging African modelling talent while connecting fashion with tourism, culture, entrepreneurship and international audiences.
