Afreximbank’s Canex’s Africa initiative took center stage at Paris Fashion Week's Tranoi, held at the Palais Brongniart from September 26-29. Over 20 leading fashion brands from Africa and the diaspora showcased their designs, offering a global platform to highlight the continent’s diverse creative talent and innovative designs to an international audience.
The exhibition featured standout brands, including Mafi Mafi from Ethiopia, Kenya's Adele Dejak, We Are NBO, and Katush, Zanzibar’s Doreen Mashika, Nigeria’s Emmy Kasbit, Wuman, and Bloke, and South African designers Judy Sanderson, David Tlale, and Thebe Magugu. Brands from Zimbabwe, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago, and Burundi also participated, representing a broad spectrum of African creativity.
The event culminated with a runway show curated by Artistic Director Jenke Ahmed Tailly, spotlighting designers Sukeina, Lagos Space Programme, and Thebe Magugu. Their collections combined bold, avant-garde designs with traditional African craftsmanship, celebrating the synergy between modernity and cultural heritage.
Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President, Kanayo Awani, expressed pride in the initiative’s role in elevating Africa’s creative industries, emphasizing that this marks the first time three designers have graced the Paris Fashion Week runway. She highlighted the event’s significance in expanding Africa's presence in global cultural trade and providing emerging designers with international exposure.
The Canex initiative supports the creative economy as a catalyst for development and job creation across Africa. Since its launch in 2021, the programme has aided 80 designers from 27 African countries, offering both financial support and skills development. Through this initiative, Afreximbank aims to empower African designers to scale their businesses and thrive on the international stage.
