Trade Hub & ACTIF attend Source Africa textile event

02 Jul '14

2 min read

The Trade Hub, regional partner African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) and delegations organized under its national partners the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) and the Ethiopian Textile and Garment Manufacturers (ETGAMA), attended the 2nd annual Source Africa trade event in Cape Town, South Africa from June 18 to 20.

Source Africa is the premier African Apparel, Textile, and Footwear Trade Event in Southern Africa. This two day exhibition featured African country pavilions and international business seminars organised by ACTIF and the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).

A total of 214 exhibitors from 15 African countries as well as Germany, Hong Kong, Turkey, and the US came to offer their products to the world - and the world came to Source Africa! Major US brands such as PVH (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, etc), global sourcing houses such as Li & Fung and Kiabi of France came to see what was on offer. Just as importantly, they came to see what could be made in Africa. This last point was highlighted by the well-attended ACTIF Business Seminar held the last day of the show, “The New Face of African Manufacturing”.

The unique attractions of Africa as a sourcing destination were highlighted, including: duty-free access to both US and EU markets, abundant raw materials, and competitive costs of production. Ethiopia had the most buzz at this year’s Source Africa which was no surprise given that over half a billion dollars of investment has gone into the apparel and footwear sector in recent years.

The Trade Hub presented preliminary findings of the “East African Regional Cotton Textile Apparel Value Chain Study” covering the five countries of the East African Community (EAC), plus Mauritius, Madagascar, and Ethiopia. One of the major findings of the study – echoed by Source Africa attendees -- is that East Africa’s potential to develop a regionally integrated cotton textile apparel value chain is a huge driver of sourcing and investment.

Trade Hub

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