The fourth edition of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), Africa’s leading exhibition and conference,
will open doors from 1-4 October 2018 to the entire cotton, textiles, apparel, home décor and technology
industry.
A few years ago, the Ethiopian government set ambitious goals for the textiles and garment industry with
production, productivity and export performance of the industry set to be further increased. Currently,
the textiles and apparel sector in Ethiopia employs 47,000 people. According to government plans, the
number of skilled labour will increase to 350,000 within the next five years in 12 industrial parks.
At ASFW, over 250 international manufacturers and exporters from 25 countries will showcase their
products. The Ethiopian government has declared economic initiatives through opening state-owned companies
to foreign investors or shareholders. This is expected to help the country in professionalisation of the
state-owned companies and bring in foreign currency. This initiative and the recent peace process with the
neighbouring country Eritrea has brought positive echo from various organisations, including the UN, IGAD
(Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and Africa Union.
Ethiopia plans to establish itself as a new centre for the international textiles industry. For 2018, the
government expects an export volume of $1 billion. According to the plans of the Ethiopian government, by
2025 the country should reach a "middle-income status" and become the largest production hub in Africa.
The textile and apparel sector in Ethiopia is centred around spinning, weaving, knitting, and finishing.
Major brands are now beginning to source from Ethiopia. Known as Africa´s only trade show for technology,
ASFW offers a huge platform for famous machines for production of clothing, textiles as well as dyeing and
finishing incl. suppliers of chemicals. ASFW consists of textile, apparel, technology, leather, footwear
and home décor and fashion design. Textile, apparel and technology will be presented though Texworld Addis
Abeba, Apparel Sourcing Addis Abeba and Texprocess Addis Abeba.