Kenya, China collaborate to strengthen fashion and lifestyle industries

Kenya and China are seeking to develop their relations further through the fashion and lifestyle industry.

In a rapidly globalising world, the fashion and lifestyle industry serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, economic growth, and innovative collaborations.

The partnership between China and Kenya in this sector exemplifies the potential for mutual growth, enriching both nations through shared expertise, market expansion, and cultural synergy. 

To create an avenue to connect local fashion and lifestyle entrepreneurs to global standards, the Afripeak Expo in Kenya organised a four-day expo at Sarit Centre from July 10 to 13,2024.

Afripeak Expo Managing Director Gao Wei said the event brought together a diverse range of products and suppliers under one roof.

This included household, gifts, textiles and apparel, printing and packaging, consumer electronics and lighting, children's toys and personal care.

"We have adopted a new model of pre-exhibition and post-warehouse which combines both local and international exhibitions,” Gao added.

He said the expo attracted 60 exhibitors of which 40 are local and 20 Chinese.

“China's extensive manufacturing capabilities and technological advancements in the fashion industry make it a global leader in textile production and garment manufacturing," Gao said.

He observed that Kenya, with its rich cultural heritage and emerging creative industry, offers unique and diverse fashion expressions that are gaining international recognition.

Gao said the expo also opened doors to new markets and innovative designs, allowing Chinese manufacturers to diversify their product lines and reach a broader audience. 

"Kenya, on the other hand, can leverage China's advanced production capabilities to scale up its fashion industry, creating more job opportunities and stimulating local economies," he said.

"The synergy between China’s manufacturing prowess and Kenya’s creative ingenuity can lead to the production of high-quality, culturally rich fashion items that appeal to global consumers."

A new 2023 report by Williams and Marshall Strategy estimates that the Kenyan fashion industry is predicted to reach $153.7 million by 2024 and accounts for 19.2 per cent of the total e-commerce.

It further states that the industry will compound annual growth rate for the next four years will be 10.1 per cent, resulting in a projected market volume of $225.9 million by 2028.

Gao said strengthening the collaboration between Chinese and Kenyan fashion designers can lead to innovative fusions that celebrate and preserve cultural identities while pushing the boundaries of contemporary fashion.

He said both China and Kenya have the opportunity to lead by example through their collaboration.

"China has made significant strides in adopting sustainable manufacturing practices, including the use of eco-friendly materials and technologies that reduce waste and energy consumption," he said.

Gao said Kenya, with its rich natural resources and traditional practices, offers unique sustainable fashion solutions, such as the use of locally sourced materials and artisanal production methods.

"The fashion and lifestyle industry is highly competitive on a global scale."

Invest Promotion General Manager Pius Rotich said Kenya is an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative and has progressively become the gateway for Chinese enterprises into Africa which is effectively building a bridge of connectivity between China and Africa.

He added that China has become Kenya’s largest trading partner, the largest creditor and the main source of contractors for infrastructure development for Kenya.

"The robust Kenya-China Cooperation has seen unprecedented growth in the number of Chinese companies setting up shop in Kenya," he said.

"Currently we have over 400 companies from China operating in Kenya, some having their African headquarters here in Nairobi including Bank of China, China Central Television, China Daily, China Radio International and Xinhua News Agency," he added.