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MAFEST B2B Conference

MAFEST B2B Policy Conference 2026

Conference Theme: "Weaving Africa’s Future: Policy, Investment, and Innovation in Textile Manufacturing"

One of the pivotal focal points of the Meet Africa Fashion Festival is the continent’s textile industry, an indispensable component of fashion production, employment generation, and the advancement of manufacturing across Africa...

Positioning Note

While appreciating some level of growth within Africa’s fashion and garment space which MAFEST considers inadequate, the continent’s textile manufacturing ecosystem is being confronted with challenges and pressures...

About the Conference

The MAFEST B2B Policy Conference is a high-level gathering designed to position Africa’s textile and fashion economy at the center of industrial growth, trade, and sustainable development...

Why This Matters

Africa’s textile industry holds immense potential as a driver of jobs, wealth creation, and continental trade, second only to agriculture in employment opportunities. Yet, realizing this potential requires a coordinated approach that blends progressive policies, strategic investments, and innovation-driven practices.

Conference Objectives

  • Policy: Advocate for reforms that strengthen local manufacturing, regional trade, and global competitiveness.
  • Investment: Showcase opportunities for financiers and investors in Africa’s growing textile value chain.
  • Innovation: Explore cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices redefining textile production.
  • Collaboration: Foster partnerships among governments, private sector, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs.

Sponsor Benefits

By supporting the MAFEST B2B Policy Conference, sponsors will enjoy high-level visibility and exclusive engagement opportunities with decision-makers across Africa’s textile and fashion ecosystem.

Platinum Partner

  • Prime logo placement across all event materials and media.
  • Speaking opportunity in a keynote or high-level panel.
  • Exclusive branding in VIP networking sessions.
  • Priority access to B2B matchmaking and policy roundtables.

Gold Partner

  • Prominent logo placement across select event materials and digital platforms.
  • Recognition in official press releases and media coverage.
  • Reserved exhibition/display space at the conference.
  • Participation in B2B matchmaking.

Silver Partner

  • Logo placement on event website and program guide.
  • Recognition during conference sessions.
  • Access to networking opportunities and side events.

Programme of Events

Day 1: Big Picture and Policy Foundation

  • 08:30 – 09:30 Registration and Networking Breakfast
  • 09:30 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony
  • 10:00 – 11:00 Keynote: Weaving Prosperity: Textiles as a Catalyst for Africa’s Industrialization Agenda
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Panel: Textile Manufacturing and the AfCFTA
  • 14:30 – 16:00 Parallel Sessions: Revitalizing Africa’s Cotton-to-Cloth Economy, Trade & Tariffs, Women & Youth in Policy
  • 16:30 – 17:30 Policy Roundtable: Aligning National Textile Policies with AfCFTA
  • Evening: Welcome Reception & Networking Dinner

Day 2: Investment & Innovation Pathways

  • 09:00 – 10:00 Keynote: Financing the Future: Attracting Capital into Africa’s Textile Sector
  • 11:30 – 13:00 Parallel Sessions (Investment): PPPs, Export Financing, Banking on Fashion
  • 14:00 – 15:00 Keynote: Indigenous Fabrics, Global Markets
  • 16:00 – 17:00 Innovation Sessions: Digital Looms, Circular Fashion, AI in Textiles
  • 17:30 – 18:30 Closing Ceremony & Gala Fashion Showcase

Invitations

Participants to the conference will include stakeholders from fashion, policy, investment, textiles, creative industry, and academia. The invitations target a balance of stakeholders to give the conference both continental and global appeal.

Want to be part of the conversation? Register for the Conference.