The 11th edition of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), the continent’s leading garment, apparel, and textile exhibition, officially opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, spotlighting Africa’s growing influence in global fashion and sourcing.
Running from Thursday to Sunday, the event — the largest of its kind in Africa — features 210 exhibitors representing diverse regions of the continent as well as international participants. The show aims to showcase Africa’s capacity for creativity, innovation, and sustainable production in textiles, apparel, and fashion.
A Platform for Growth, Culture, and Sustainability
Skander Negasi, Founder of ASFW, emphasized that the exhibition is more than a display of fabrics, footwear, handbags, and garments. “It serves as a platform to demonstrate how Africa’s textile, leather, and fashion industries can drive sustainable growth and employment,” he said. “Our textiles are not only clothes; they tell the stories of our histories, identities, and cultures.”
Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed optimism about the future of Africa’s textile industry. “With a population of 1.4 billion—over 60 percent under the age of 25—Africa is not just a market; it is the world’s next major consumer base and most dynamic workforce,” he noted.
Driving Modernization and Global Competitiveness
According to Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute, the ASFW is a testament to both the resilience of Ethiopia’s textile and garment sector and Africa’s growing importance as a global sourcing destination. “African nations are taking bold steps to enhance the business environment by cutting red tape, improving logistics, and ensuring better working conditions to increase exports and create more jobs,” he said.
Organizers report that Africa’s textile and apparel market is expanding at an annual rate of 5 percent, contributing roughly 1.2 percent to the continent’s GDP. The steady growth signals Africa’s emergence as a key player in the global textile and fashion industry, blending cultural identity with sustainable industrial development.
