Why Attend MAFEST
MAFEST is not just another fashion festival — it is Africa’s signature global stage where style, heritage, and innovation meet. From breathtaking runway shows to world-class networking, the festival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in Africa’s rising creative economy.
Cultural Showcase
Authentic African designs that tell stories of heritage and innovation.
Networking
Meet designers, models, investors, and influencers in one space.
Global Exposure
Be part of an international platform with worldwide reach.
About MAFEST
Meet Africa Fashion Festival (MAFEST) is a pan-African creative economy platform that celebrates African fashion, culture, and innovation.
Its vision is to position Africa as a global powerhouse in fashion and garment by showcasing indigenous creativity, embracing and promoting sustainable production, as well as building a thriving ecosystem beneficial to the entire mix of the value chain- including Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG).
The international festival is therefore an annual convergence of Africa’s most influential designers, models, fashion retailers, media houses, policymakers, cultural enthusiasts, and global investors.
MAFEST serves as a dynamic platform that not only showcases the beauty and diversity of African fashion but also stimulates sustainable economic growth across key sectors such as fashion retail, garment manufacturing, media, tourism, and cultural enterprise. Through its sidelines, the Meet Africa Fashion Festival fosters collaboration among key stakeholders while providing vast opportunities for trade, partnerships, and industry networking. The festival’s multifaceted programming includes runway shows, exhibitions, B2B conference, workshops, masterclasses, and digital engagements, which positions it as a transformative event capable of driving continental conversations and investments in the creative economy.
Why MAFEST Matters
The creative economy is one of Africa’s greatest assets. MAFEST shines a spotlight on this potential by offering a platform for cross-border collaboration, cultural exchange, and trade. It is more than an event — it is a movement to redefine how the world views African fashion and its impact on the global stage.
- The Festival promotes, celebrates and advances the growth of the continent’s Creative Economy. Fact is that Africa’s fashion and creative industries are worth over $50bn and growing.
- In Sub-Saharan Africa, Fashion is the 2nd largest employer after agriculture, especially for the women and youth.
- The fashion and garment industry stimulates youth and women Empowerment. Over 60% of participants are women and youth.
- Provides a platform for intra-African trade-cross-border exchange of goods, services, and ideas.
- Projects Africa’s cultural identity to international audiences.
- Discovers abundance of talents
MAFEST 2026 Impact Projections
Each edition of MAFEST is designed to scale impact — not just in numbers but in opportunities created. The 2026 edition aims to surpass all previous milestones by bringing together communities, industries, and cultures in one unified celebration.
2,000+
Attendees
20M+
Digital Reach
20+
Countries
500+
SMEs Trained
100+
Jobs Created
Sidelines of MAFEST
Beyond the main stage, MAFEST is powered by its sidelines — specialized segments that deepen engagement, drive professional learning, and expand commercial opportunities for Africa’s creative industries.
- The B2B Conference
- Exhibition Arena
- MAFEST Model of the Year
- Workshops & Masterclasses
- Roadshows
- Gala Fashion Show & Awards
Our Mission
To advocate for, safeguard, and commercialize Africa’s fashion, textiles, and creative industries as a catalyst for economic advancement, employment generation, and cultural pride.
Promote the exquisite allure of Africa’s textiles, fashions, and styles, while championing the comprehensive advancement of the cotton, textile, and garment value chain across the continent.
Our Vision
To become Africa’s premier fashion festival brand, ranked among the world’s top five fashion events (alongside Paris, Milan, New York, and London).
Strategic Objectives (10-Year Horizon)
MAFEST is built on a long-term vision to transform Africa’s fashion ecosystem into a globally competitive and sustainable industry. Over the next decade, we aim to scale the festival into a continental brand that influences trade, tourism, and policy across Africa.
- Tourism and Economic Impact: Attract over one million attendees cumulatively within 10 years.
- Revenue Growth: Build a self-sustaining business model with revenues exceeding $50M+ annually by Year 10.
- Creative Hub Development: Establish MAFEST Creative Villages in Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
- Digital Expansion: Launch MAFEST Digital (E-commerce and Streaming Platform) by Year 5.
- Policy Advocacy: Influence African governments to adopt pro-fashion industry policies.
- Acquisition: Acquire cutting-edge, state-of-the-art digital multimedia equipment, utilizing it for commercial endeavors aimed at revenue generation by the third year.
- Fashion Hub: Advocate for and influence the establishment of a fashion hub in Abuja, and elsewhere, a comprehensive industrial complex dedicated to the substantial production of garments for both domestic consumption and international export.
Core Events
The heartbeat of MAFEST lies in its lineup of core events that celebrate African fashion while driving commercial growth and global visibility. Each core event is designed to inspire, connect, and empower participants across industries.
Runway Shows: Top African & Global Designers
Exhibition Halls: Textiles, Accessories, Crafts
Business Forum: Investors, Trade Agencies, Policymakers
MAFEST Awards: Celebrating African Designers & Brands
Pop Culture Integration: Music, Film, Art Collaborations
Youth & Startups: MAFEST Model of the Year