From Nigeria to Johannesburg to London, these African creatives are known to blend our culture with the contemporary. Nike has since chosen to be a part of it.
African artists have added their creativity, the African spirituality, and street vibes with Nike’s iconic kicks and have made history while doing it.
Grace Ladoja just became the first African woman and first Nigerian woman to design her own Nike shoe. 
There are other artists that have partnered with Nike to give the finest kicks. These aren’t just artists… They’re cultural superheroes putting African creativity on the global stage, one custom sneaker at a time.
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Laolu Senbanjo
Laolu Senbanjo is a Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based visual artist, designer, and former human rights lawyer.
He’s known for his use of white and black paint to create ‘Afromysteric’ designs. His designs are a transformation of Yoruba spirituality and symbols into striking modern art. Before he decided to focus on art full-time, he practiced law in Nigeria.
Senbanjo’s art usually appears on bodies, and also canvases, fashion, and even sneakers. Everything is his canvas.
In 2016, he was hired by Nike to “create Air Max inspired art at #AirMax Con NYC” and custom designs. He brought African symbolism into sneaker culture.
Karabo Poppy
Karabo Poppy Moletsane is a South African illustrator, street artist, and muralist. She is known for her bold and colourful style that blends African culture with modern street aesthetics. Her upbringing in Johannesburg has been a major influence on her style of art.
In 2019, she collaborated with Nike to design three Nike Air Force 1 sneakers with African aesthetics.
She said, “A true honour to be partnering with #NikeByYou to give you the opportunity to customise my design on the site too. This became more than just a collab! The reach for African artists is expanding exponentially and I am filled with so much joy to create a first of its kind here with Nike, where a sneaker design that has been a part of my life and the life of my family, community and the that of people I look up to has a variation designed by me.”
Olaolu Slawn
Olaolu Slawn is a renowned British-Nigerian contemporary artist.
The designer, popularly known as the “scam artist,” makes bold, graffiti-inspired, and large-scale pop art paintings.
Based in London, he made history as the youngest artist to design the BRIT Awards trophy in 2023 and has collaborated with brands like many fashion brands.
He partnered with Nike in 2025 to design the Nike Airmax 90. In 2026, he partnered again for a collection, including a custom Nigeria Super Eagles kit and a massive, painted pitch installation.
Grace Ladoja
Grace Ladoja is a music executive who was born in London to Nigerian parents.
She is the founder and creative director of Metallic Inc and the curator of Our Homecoming. Ladoja is a Member of the British Empire and has had several creative ties with Nike.
In 2026, she moved her relationship with Nike and made history as the first African woman and first Nigerian woman to design a Nike shoe.
She created an exclusive Air Max TN featuring themes of Pan-Africanism and “African Sunrise.
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