IAF Secretary General Matthijs Crietee moderated a panel discussion on certification featuring IAF member WRAP and gave a keynote speech. In his keynote speech he emphasised that there are excellent opportunities for the growth of the fashion industry in Africa.

The apparel industry has recently switched more to an investment mode and in Africa this is reflected by investments from China, India, Turkey, Dubai in addition to Europe and the US.

But Crietee also pointed out that the manufacturing industry in Africa must invest in more than production excellence. In order to fit into the current complex and demanding supply chains, it must educate its management in knowledge of the upstream (textiles) and downstream (retail) products and processes.

Hosted in a different country each year, the annual Origin Africa trade event is ACTIF’s platform to promote the African cotton, textiles, apparel and associated industries. Exhibitors from Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Pakistan and UAE meet brands, retailers, wholesalers and sourcing agents from UK, EU, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, India and South Africa.

The event features a special exhibition area, a technical workshop and other activities designed to support micro and small creatives from across the continent.

“We collaborate with producers across the value chain, from farm to fashion, associated services and industries as well as sectoral, regional and national organisations to provide information about, and increased visibility for, our Members and the African cotton, textiles and apparel sectors,” organisers report.

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