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The Bank Investing Millions in Africa’s Fashion Industry

Cairo-based Afreximbank is funding projects across the continent, from textile and garment manufacturing facilities in Benin and Nigeria to export programmes for designer brands from Kenya, Ghana and beyond.
Afreximbank has funded African export initiatives including a pop-up for four brands including Ghanaian label Boyedoe (C) and Nigerian brand Wuman (L, R) in collaboration with trade show Tranoi and Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
Afreximbank has funded export initiatives including a Paris pop-up for African brands such as Ghana's Boyedoe (C) and Nigeria's Wuman (L, R) in collaboration with trade show Tranoi and Galeries Lafayette. (Wuman/Boyedoe via Instagram)
By
BoF PROFESSIONAL

Africa’s fashion industry needs significant investment, a sentiment shared by stakeholders across the continent. Without urgent funding, some promising businesses will be unable to fulfil their potential, and others will simply flounder. One major financial institution stepping in to bridge the gap has drawn both praise and scrutiny after backing a wide range of fashion projects.

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Further Reading

Redefining ‘Made in Africa’ | The BoF Podcast

Maryse Mbonyumutwa of Pink Mango, Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa Africa, and Reni Folawiyo of Alara join writer Rozan Ahmed at BoF CROSSROADS 2025 to discuss how African brands are overcoming operational challenges to bring global creativity and sustainability to fashion.

About the author
Ezreen Benissan

Ezreen Benissan is a contributing writer at The Business of Fashion. Based in London, Benissan writes about Africa's fashion and beauty industry.

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