East Africa Textile And Leather Week (EATLW) 2023 Accelerating East Africa’s Sustainability In The Textile And Leather Industries

Nairobi, Kenya, Sarit Expo Center, Wed., June 28th–Fri., June 30th
With a projected market value of $31 billion in 2020, the fashion and textile business is Africa’s second-largest industry after agriculture. Growing annually, it has the capacity to produce millions of jobs across the continent, particularly for women and young people.
The eagerly awaited EAST AFRICA TEXTILE AND LEATHER WEEK (EATLW) 2023 edition is the most prestigious gathering venue for the home textile, leather accessories, and footwear sectors and is ready to revolutionize the East African textile industry.

Leading African and international decision-makers from all points along the fashion value chain will gather in June to assess upcoming trends and costs.

Key industry players and thought leaders are brought together by EATLW to have in-depth conversations, look into business opportunities, and see the incredible potential of the garment manufacturing industry in East Africa.

with an emphasis on innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Three thousand five hundred wholesalers, retailers, chains, manufacturers, and dealers from East and Central Africa will attend the event along with 150 exhibitors from East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Carvico Ethiopia Plc, Leather Masters Kenya, Starsewing Dubai, Desta Plc, and Josef Seibel are a few notable exhibitors. The three-day RUNWAY KENYA ready-to-wear fashion show will include clothing and accessory designers from all over East Africa, hosted by Couture Africa Magazine in partnership with Ajuma Limited.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, EPZA, The Leather Apex Society of Kenya, Ubunifu Association, Women in Business, and Fashion Agenda Africa are a few other significant partners.

The CEO of Trade & Fairs Consulting GmbH, Mr. Skander Negasi, said, “We are delighted to host East Africa Textile and Leather Week, a platform that highlights the rich tradition, craftsmanship, and tremendous promise of the East African textile and leather sector.
“EATLW is more than just a conference; it serves as a catalyst for the industry’s development, cooperation, and advancement. We cordially encourage all interested parties, international investors, and fashion fans to join us on this remarkable adventure.

Sarit Expo Center, Main Hall / Nairobi, Kenya
Daily 10.00 am – 6.00 pm EATLW Exhibition
Changes in program structure or exchange of speakers or referees remain reserved | www.eatlw.com

CONFERENCE PLAN
DAY 1 28th June 2023
9.00 am – 10.30 am Registration
11.00 am-noon Inauguration and opening ceremony
Principal Secretary, Department of Industry
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry
Exports Processing Zones Authority (EPZA)
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00 pm – 2.45 pm A critical analysis of government policies and initiatives; Agenda to boost production and create employment in the leather and textile industries in the region
Speakers: EPZA
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry
3.00 pm – 4.00 pm BRAND IDENTITY AND SOURCING SME Dialog session: Establishing a brand name that speaks
to the market to enable scaling and enhancing the taking of large orders for international markets
Speakers: KENIVEST
Moderator: Ms. Grace Mbugua, CEO of Jeilo Collections and Chairperson, Ubunifu Association
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm Fashion Show
Runway Kenya by Couture Africa

CONFERENCE PLAN
DAY 2 29th June 2023
9.00 am – 10.00 am Registration
10.30 am – 11.15 am Women‘s economic empowerment in the textile, apparel, and leather industries: Strategies for
promoting gender equality and empowerment in the industry
Speakers: Women in Business
Caroline Ngumba – Program Manager Sustainable Manufacturing – Textiles & Apparel (IDH)
Catherine Ndungu – CE0, Design 365 / Ubunifu Association
11.30 am – 12.45 pm PRESENTATION Combating counterfeits in East Africa: A comprehensive approach to
enhancing local sourcing in the textile and apparel industry
Speakers: Anti-Counterfeit Authority EPZA
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00 pm – 2.30 pm Opportunities in the leather, textile, and apparel industry: Financing and investment prospects for industry growth
Speakers: KenInvest KEPSA
2.45 pm – 3.30 pm The rise of African fashion: Sustainable textiles pioneers from East and Central Africa region
Speakers: Ms. Akinyi Odongo, OGW – President & Founder, Fashion Agenda Africa (FAA)
Ms. Aulgah Nato – International Multi Award Winning Fashion Designer
Moderator: Ms. Connie Aluoch – Award-Winning Stylist, Connie Aluoch Styling Management
3.45 pm – 4.20 pm Protecting intellectual property in the Textile and apparel industry: Strategies for
safeguarding designs, trademarks, and patents
Presentation: KIPI
4.20 pm – 5.00 pm Fashioning sustainability in design-led businesses: Systems for sustainability and the role of
diversity and Inclusivity in shaping wearable design
Speaker: EPZA
David Avido, Kibera Fashion Week
Olive Gachara
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm Fashion Show
Runway Kenya by Couture Africa

CONFERENCE PLAN
DAY 3 30th June 2023
9.00 am – 10.00 am Registration
10.30 am – 11.15 am Leveraging government support and exploring new markets to promote growth and
competitiveness in the East African leather sector
Speakers: Leather Apex Society of Kenya
Ministry of Livestock
11.30 am – 12.45 pm PRESENTATION Strategies towards overcoming challenges such as high investment costs
and the need for incentives to attract investment in the leather industry
Speaker: Leather Apex Society of Kenya
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00 pm – 2.45 pm Panel Discussion by Couture Africa
3.00 pm – 5.00 pm Fashion Show Mega Final
Runway Kenya by Couture Africa

Kenya’s Textile And Apparel Sector
The nation’s current textile and clothing businesses create a wide range of goods.
While integrated mills provide a wide range of goods such as yarn, fabrics (knitted and woven), canvas, school and travel bags, blankets, sweaters, shawls, uniforms, towels, baby diapers, and knitted clothing, spinning enterprises generate yarn (including industrial) and sewing thread. On the other hand, garment producers provide a variety of clothing for both the domestic market and export.
Men’s apparel is produced by about 46% of the garment factories, while the remainder makes woven chemise and robes, slacks, Kaunda suits (for men), and knitted, and woven clothing.
Investments in cotton farming, cotton ginning, spinning, weaving, as well as the manufacturing of clothing and other goods, are guaranteed to have ready access to local, regional, and global markets. Kenya offers advantageous production incentives and enticing investment incentives.

Only 15 of Kenya’s 52 textile mills are now in operation, and they only use less than 45% of their total capacity. In Kenya, there are thousands of clothing businesses. There are over 170 middle and big businesses and over 74,000 small and micro businesses.
The Export Processing Zones are home to twenty-one businesses, each of which employs 1,800 people on average.

Content courtesy of Couture Africa, East Africa Textile And Leather Week & NFH