Reclaiming Design as Cultural Praxis. The Evolution and Impact of Afrika Design Day

Africa Design Day (ADD), the flagship initiative of the Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI), has evolved from a modest exhibition into a continent-wide movement redefining design’s role in Afrikan society. This paper explores ADD’s transformation into a platform for cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and educational reform. Drawing on decolonial theory, indigenous knowledge systems, and participatory design, it analyzes ADD’s impact across artisan visibility, youth employment, curriculum innovation, and policy advocacy. Through case studies from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana, the paper argues that ADD exemplifies a new paradigm of Afrikan design, rooted in community, driven by cultural sovereignty, and oriented toward collective futures.