Africa’s Fashion Rise at BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2025

Moscow transformed into a global fashion hub at the end of August, hosting industry leaders from over 65 nations at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit (https://FashionSummit.org/), the largest international fashion event of its kind. This prestigious summit offered an unparalleled platform to spotlight the evolving global fashion landscape, with Africa emerging as a powerful and rapidly growing force.

Africa’s fashion sector is witnessing remarkable growth. Open-source data indicates that African textile exports account for 2–3% of global trade, a share that continues to rise as investment and employment opportunities expand across the continent. South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya are at the forefront of this transformation, producing high-quality fashion products while championing sustainable development practices.

The continent’s influence was strongly felt at the summit, with delegates from 15 African countries — from Tunisia to South Africa — making up a significant and growing presence. This representation allowed African stakeholders to showcase progress, exchange knowledge, and strengthen global collaborations.

Since its inception, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit (http://FashionSummit.org/) has provided a crucial platform for addressing pressing industry challenges. This year’s agenda explored topics ranging from balancing national brands with global powerhouses to advancing “green manufacturing,” an approach gaining momentum across Africa. Nana Tamakloe, CEO of Accra Fashion Week in Ghana, shared insights on how local brands can thrive against global competitors by leveraging creativity and cultural authenticity.

African designers captivated audiences with collections infused with deep cultural meaning, bold color palettes, and innovative uses of traditional materials. A special session highlighted how these designers blend heritage with modern fashion trends, featuring prominent voices such as Mahlet Teklemariam (Hub of Africa Fashion Week, Ethiopia), Susan Sabet (Egyptian Fashion and Design Council), Mahlet Afework (Mafi Mafi, Ethiopia), Nana Tamakloe (Accra Fashion Week, Ghana), Mmantlha Sankoloba (Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association), and Anis Montacer (Tunis Fashion Week).

Another key discussion focused on South Africa’s fashion renaissance. Experts from Soweto Fashion Week (Stephen Manzini), the University of Johannesburg (Tinyiko Baloyi), Cape Town College of Fashion Design (Gregg Maragelis), and the South African Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (Vusi Ngobeni) examined how technology, innovation, and quality improvements are helping South African brands reclaim their place on the global stage.

Adding star power to the event, renowned designer David Tlale — a veteran of New York and Paris Fashion Weeks — showcased his latest collection at Moscow Fashion Week (http://MoscowFashion.ru/), held alongside the summit.

David Tlale remarked, “My vision is that we move beyond conversations into action — collaborating, supporting, and uplifting each other. For us in South Africa, ‘Proudly Made in South Africa by South Africans’ has always been our mantra, and through collaboration within BRICS, we can take that pride onto global stages with strength and unity.”

Susan Sabet, Board Member and Secretary General of Egypt Fashion Week, added, “BRICS+ is an excellent example of how large-scale fashion events that bring together an international audience with a shared vision and mission can drive cross-cultural exchange and communication. Fashion and craftsmanship are becoming increasingly important for establishing a unique brand identity, representing a country’s culture and ethos.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BRICS+ Fashion Summit.