Africa Sourcing, Fashion Week kicks off in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, November 8, 2024 (FBC) — Africa sourcing and fashion week (ASFW) the premier trade platform for Africa’s textile, fashion and leather industries has kicked off in Addis Ababa today for its 10th anniversary edition from 8 -11th, 2024.

The event promises to be biggest edition yet, gathering global brands, industry leaders, and innovations under one roof.

Since, its inception, ASFW has grown into the continent’s biggest fashion event, fostering collaboration and facilitating trade across the textile, apparel and leather value chains.

This year, ASFW will showcase over 250 exhibitions from more than 30 countries offering attendance a comprehensive look at the latest industry trends, innovations, in sustainable manufacturing and cutting – edge designs.

The event is expected to attract over 7,000 trade buyers from over 60 countries, making it a key platform for industry professional to connect and forge new years.

In his officially opening remarks Ethiopia’s Industry Minister Melaku Alebel said the government of Ethiopia gives higher importance for such exhibitions, recognizing that collaboration between the private sector and African government is essential.

The event is vital venue to create linkages, collaboration, and integration among important stakeholders in Africa, he added.

“By joining forces, we can elevate Africans manufacturing output, particularly in textile and apparel, to reach a critical mass that fully leverage opportunities here on the continent and worldwide,” the Minister said adding that the time for Africa’s manufacturing has indeed arrived, and “we invite all stakeholders to engage with and benefit from this pivotal event in the textile and leisure industries.”

The event has brought together investors and entrepreneurs from all corners of the world; your contribution supports a sustainable growth of the manufacturing sector across Africa, the minister underscored.

Melaku further stated that Africa is richly endowed with untapped resource and a population eager to contribute. These are comparative advantage that when combined with strategic action, can propel the region forward.

Ethiopia in particular, has embraced this vision with bold macroeconomic reform and initiatives to strengthen its manufacturing base, guided by its long term goal to make the country the manufacturing hub of Africa and achieve middle income status, he said, stating that “we have undertaken substantial reforms to create a thriving environment for industry.”

The Minister further said that two years ago, the government launched measures to uplift the local manufacturing and promote Ethiopian products in the regional and global market, he noted, adding, currently “we are already seeing promising results with Ethiopian made goods gaining recognition including for their quality.

“We have revised Ethiopia’s manufacturing policy to enhance import substitution, boost exports and support capacity building infrastructure,” he said pointing out that expansion of the sector has been central to our strategy with industrial parks across the country achieving an impressive export growth and import substitution as well.

These parks provide a foundation for global companies to position themselves as a destination for competitive manufacturing, he concluded.

Tourism Minister, Selamawit Kassa on her part said events hosted in Ethiopia have matchless benefit with respect to tourism. The participants of the event have the opportunities to visit Ethiopia’s historical, natural and tourist attractions including the new tourist destinations recently developed in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.

Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute said big companies drawn from various parts of the world made decisions to come to Africa is for good reasons for the huge opportunities in the sector, he underscored, adding Africa is highly rich in the sector.

Ferdinand Bon Weyhe, Deputy Head of Mission German Embassy in Ethiopia, said “we came to Ethiopia to support companies to enable them survive and to increase their European Market with competitive products.,” as per ENA.