Messe Frankfurt to Introduce Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess at ASFW Nairobi from 2027

Messe Frankfurt, through its Texpertise Network, has confirmed that it will license its international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya, beginning in 2027. The announcement was made by Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board, during the opening of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW).

Under this arrangement, the three trade fairs will be incorporated into the ASFW Nairobi framework and conducted annually. The move marks the first time these brands will be hosted in Kenya.

East Africa, particularly Kenya, is identified as a developing region for textile industry growth. Factors contributing to Kenya’s positioning include political support, availability of sustainable energy, design capabilities and relatively shorter transport distances for trade.

Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week has established itself as a platform for sourcing, networking and investment within the African textile sector. By extending its collaboration to Nairobi, Messe Frankfurt is expanding its engagement in the region. The integration of Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess into ASFW is expected to broaden the scope of the event across the textile value chain.

The platform will cover multiple segments of the industry, and the addition of the three trade fair brands is intended to enhance its international reach. The combined structure is positioned to connect global demand with African manufacturing capabilities and sourcing processes.

For ASFW Nairobi 2026, organisers expect participation from around 150 exhibitors and more than 5,000 trade visitors representing over 50 countries. The inclusion of the three trade fair formats is set to position the event as a key industry gathering in the region.

“Africa is becoming one of the major strategic growth markets for the global textile industry – so we’re investing specifically in this bright future,” emphasises Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “Including Nairobi in our Texpertise Network continues our overall strategy of expanding our international connections and granting customers access to key growth markets. We aim to create long-term, sustainable business relationships that strengthen both local producers and their international partners.”

“We’re global market leaders in textile industry events, and being part of ASFW in Nairobi is a focused way to strengthen our Texpertise Network. By applying our successful Addis Ababa concept, based on more than 10 years of collaboration, to one of East Africa’s most dynamic markets, we are actively driving forward global networking,” explains Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “This is our way of connecting international demand with regional offerings and make a concrete contribution to the sustainable development of this promising, trailblazing market.”

Skander Negasi, CEO of Trade and Fairs Group, adds: “Kenya’s textiles and clothing sector is growing continuously and as such offers excellent operating conditions for the international fashion industry, which is increasingly seeking shorter transport distances and time-critical production cycles. The sector is developing into a strategic hub for textiles and leather production, exporting apparel products worth 500 million USD each year.”