In an effort to encourage more Kenyans to purchase and wear “made in Kenya” fashion.
Brand Kenya signed a one-year partnership deal with Fashion Agenda Africa (FAA) to boost the growth of the local fashion industry.
The meeting saw both groups enhance meaningful conversation bringing together stakeholders from the government and the industry.
The partnership will see the two parties engage to promote Kenya’s untapped fashion industry. According to a recent study by Hivos East Africa, Equity Bank Kenya, and the Association of Fashion Designers of Kenya (AFAD), Kenya Fashion industry has the capacity to create over 300,000 jobs.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) shows that Kenya is currently the largest exporter of apparels under with about Sh35 billion worth of exports as of 2017.
The government see this as the best time to reposition the country to tie in with the changes in the global apparels sourcing supply chain.
“The Human Development Index Report 2017 places Kenya’s unemployment rate at 39.1 per cent. The textile and apparels sector, if well invested in across the value chain, has the ability to create numerous jobs, given that it is labour intensive. Brand Kenya Board is happy to be part of transforming and making this multi-billion industry more profitable to Kenyans,” said Brand Kenya Board’s Ag. CEO Ms Floice Mukabana.
According to reports, Akinyi E. Odongo, FAA’s Founder and fashion icon said FAA will present the best platform for fashion luminaries to be able to effectively pass the baton and make the industry sustainable. “A revolution in the fashion industry is here and I am happy to be part of this change. Through FAA, we literally ‘pass on the baton’ and ‘light another person’s candle’ as our slogan.”
