A partnership aimed at nurturing Africa’s fashion apparel and textile-manufacturing industry is set to see the continent’s designers expand their reach into global markets.

The three-year initiative between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Portugal’s National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) is part of the bank’s wider Creative Nexus programme to facilitate investment in the continent’s creative and cultural economy. The goal of the initiative with ANJE is to provide African designers with opportunities to access markets in Europe while building their brands.

The collaboration will provide designers with a platform to showcase their creations, as well as business mentoring and technical assistance in apparel production. Afreximbank says at least 40 African designers will be promoted each year on Portugal’s fashion runways, and participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with industry experts, retailers and manufacturers.

An inaugural fashion showcase will take place in Porto, Portugal, in October.

27 July 2021
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