CAFA Advocates for Unified Policies to Elevate Africa's Fashion Economy to $500 Billion

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) has made a strong appeal for African countries to unify their fashion policies as a strategic move to grow the continent's fashion economy to an ambitious $500 billion. This call to action was made by CAFA President, Professor Lai Labode, at the unveiling of a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy during the ongoing CANEX WKND 2026.

Professor Labode highlighted that while Africa is rich in creative talent, it lacks the necessary structures and policies to translate this potential into substantial economic gain. He stated, “In Africa, we don’t have a shortage of talent. What Africa needs is structure. Money always follows structure,” underscoring the critical role of organized frameworks in fostering economic growth.

In his address, Labode introduced the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter, a comprehensive strategy developed by CAFA, which consists of ten key pillars aimed at addressing various challenges within the fashion value chain. These pillars include policy harmonization, local cultivation and processing of raw materials, intellectual property protection, and enhancing logistics and market access.

Moreover, Labode stressed the importance of processing raw materials locally rather than exporting them in unprocessed forms. Using cotton as a case study, he contrasted Brazil's $5.3 billion cotton exports with China's earnings from cotton production, illustrating the financial benefits of local value addition. He argued that by investing in local manufacturing, African countries could not only create jobs but also retain a greater share of wealth within the continent.