Dozens of African fashion designers are set to feature on the global stage later this year, as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) teams up with international fashion platform Tranoï to bring African creativity to the spotlight in Paris and Tokyo.
The collaboration—part of Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative—will see 35 designers showcase their Spring/Summer collections at fashion weeks in Japan and France.
Fifteen designers will exhibit at Tranoï Tokyo during Japan Fashion Week on 3 and 4 September, hosted at the Yoyogi National Stadium. A further 20 will head to Paris for Tranoï’s prestigious showcase at the Palais Brongniart, scheduled from 2 to 5 October during Paris Fashion Week.
From the Paris cohort, three designers will be selected by a panel of fashion industry experts to take part in a high-profile runway show on 3 October.
The initiative is open to African designers and fashion brands—both from the continent and the diaspora—who have already developed at least two collections, operate a commercial presence (such as a website or retail platform), and demonstrate a clear creative identity, as well as ethical or innovative design approaches.
Participants selected for the programme will receive tailored support. This includes access to a dedicated sales team, media visibility, and direct engagement with fashion buyers and industry professionals through CANEX-branded pavilions in Tokyo and Paris. Applications remain open until 15 May.
“We are excited to join hands with Tranoï to create new opportunities for African fashion design talent to access the global fashion markets,” said Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President at Afreximbank. “This initiative reflects our commitment to harnessing the potential of Africa’s creative economy as a catalyst for development.”
Established to address long-standing barriers in Africa’s creative industries, CANEX works to expand access to markets, finance, training, and mentorship. It brings together creatives from across sectors—including fashion, music, film, literature, and gastronomy—while supporting business growth and cross-border collaboration.
A key fixture in the CANEX calendar will follow closely on the heels of the Tokyo showcase. The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), to be held in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September, is expected to draw over 2,000 exhibitors and generate upwards of $44 billion in trade and investment deals.
The CANEX Pavilion at IATF 2025 will highlight the continent’s cultural and creative strengths, offering a platform for African talent in music, fashion, crafts, literature, sport, and culinary arts—making it one of the largest gatherings of creatives from across Global Africa.
