The East African region in general, and Kenya in particular, are up-and-coming areas of strong growth in the textile industry. Many factors make Kenya an attractive location for international textile companies: political support, a sustainable energy supply, innovative design skills and relatively short transport distances.

ASFW has developed into a major platform for international sourcing, industry networking and investment in the African textiles sector. By extending its existing partnership to Nairobi, Messe Frankfurt is highlighting the East African market’s growing importance. Messe Frankfurt has licensed the established international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to be held within the existing ASFW structure, bringing steady growth and development. This platform represents the entire textile value chain – and by integrating these three brands, the offering here will gain in strength and visibility internationally. It will be a way to reinforce the role of ASFW as a central hub connecting global demand with African manufacturers and efficient sourcing processes.

Around 150 exhibitors and more than 5,000 trade visitors from over 50 countries are expected to attend ASFW Nairobi 2026. Adding the three established trade fair formats Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess makes this the region’s most important industry gathering.

“Africa is becoming one of the major strategic growth markets for the global textile industry – so we’re investing specifically in this bright future,” emphasises Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “Including Nairobi in our Texpertise Network continues our overall strategy of expanding our international connections and granting customers access to key growth markets. We aim to create long-term, sustainable business relationships that strengthen both local producers and their international partners.”

Being part of ASFW Kenya as a natural and logical step

“We’re global market leaders in textile industry events, and being part of ASFW in Nairobi is a focused way to strengthen our Texpertise Network. By applying our successful Addis Ababa concept, based on more than 10 years of collaboration, to one of East Africa’s most dynamic markets, we are actively driving forward global networking,” explains Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “This is our way of connecting international demand with regional offerings and make a concrete contribution to the sustainable development of this promising, trailblazing market.”

Skander Negasi, CEO of Trade and Fairs Group, adds: “Kenya’s textiles and clothing sector is growing continuously and as such offers excellent operating conditions for the international fashion industry, which is increasingly seeking shorter transport distances and time-critical production cycles. The sector is developing into a strategic hub for textiles and leather production, exporting apparel products worth 500 million USD each year.”