Kenyan fashion industry turns to China for technology, manufacturing partnerships

Kenya’s fashion industry is looking to China’s vast manufacturing and technology ecosystem to expand local production, improve competitiveness and open up new markets across Africa and beyond.

The push is at the centre of the third East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show, which opened at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi on Thursday, bringing together nearly 120 companies, including about 100 Chinese exhibitors and 20 Kenyan businesses.

The three-day exhibition, running from August 13 to 15, has created a platform for manufacturers, designers, retailers, distributors, importers, exporters and professional buyers to explore potential business partnerships.

The exhibitors are showcasing textiles and apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, watches and clocks, beauty products, home and lifestyle goods, appliances, electronics, lighting and packaging solutions.

Organisers say the event is also seeking to connect Kenyan designers and fashion institutions with international suppliers of fabrics, accessories, garment-production equipment and other inputs needed to scale up production.

Afripeak Expo Kenya Managing Director Gao Wei said the growing participation reflects increasing demand for direct engagement between African businesses and international manufacturers.

“The growth of the Fashion Life Show reflects a clear demand from businesses for direct and meaningful engagement with manufacturers, suppliers and buyers,” Gao said.

He said the organisers expect engagements during the exhibition to result in sourcing agreements, distribution partnerships, investment and other forms of commercial cooperation.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) said Kenyan businesses should look beyond importing finished products and instead use partnerships with Chinese firms to strengthen local manufacturing.

KNCCI National Director Ken Onditi said collaboration with Chinese businesses could give Kenyan enterprises access to technology, production expertise, international markets and investment.

“Kenyan fashion industry players should look beyond sourcing finished products and tap into China’s rich fashion ecosystem through technology transfer, manufacturing partnerships, design collaboration and access to international markets,” Mr. Onditi said.

He said such partnerships could help local businesses move up the value chain, strengthen production and develop Kenyan brands capable of competing internationally.

“We should seek partnerships that are instrumental in unlocking new markets for Kenyan enterprises,” Mr. Onditi added.

China’s apparel industry exported $151.18 billion worth of clothing and apparel accessories in 2025, highlighting the scale of its manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem.

Kenyan industry players are being encouraged to selectively adopt some of the technologies, production systems and business models used in China while retaining the country’s own design identity, cultural influences and access to the African market.

The strategy could help Kenya move beyond cut-make-and-trim production towards greater value addition in areas such as design, branding, fabric production, accessories, packaging, digital retail and the development of African-focused fashion brands.

KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto said the exhibition gives Kenyan enterprises an opportunity to showcase their products, establish international business connections and identify new markets.

“The Fashion Life Show creates a valuable meeting point for Kenyan enterprises and international buyers, manufacturers, distributors and investors,” Dr. Rutto said.

He urged businesses in textiles, apparel, cosmetics, home décor and consumer goods to use the platform to build international relationships and explore opportunities for growth and exports.

A key feature of this year’s exhibition is a buyer-supplier matchmaking programme connecting Chinese manufacturers with Kenyan and regional importers, distributors, retailers and professional buyers.

The sessions are focusing on watches and clocks, home appliances and consumer electronics, with discussions covering sourcing, pricing, distribution, market access and long-term commercial partnerships.

Chinese manufacturers can provide machinery, fabrics, production technologies and supply-chain expertise, while Kenyan businesses bring local design capabilities, market knowledge and access to the growing African consumer market.

Nairobi's position as a commercial hub also gives Kenya an opportunity to use such partnerships to strengthen its role as a gateway into the East African Community and the wider African Continental Free Trade Area.

The exhibition is therefore placing a broader question before Kenya’s fashion industry: whether the country can shift its relationship with China from one largely centred on importing finished consumer goods towards co-production, technology transfer, investment, branding and exports.

For local fashion entrepreneurs, the opportunity lies not only in sourcing products from China but in learning from the manufacturing systems behind them and adapting those capabilities to build a stronger Kenyan fashion industry.

If successfully harnessed, the partnerships could help local designers and manufacturers scale production, create jobs, serve the African market and develop Kenyan brands with the potential to compete internationally.