Source Africa 2015 a two-day trade exhibition was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 9-11 June 2015 to promote African made textiles, garments and footwear to international and African buyers as well as boost intra-regional trade between African countries with focus on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA, a US Government trade preference program which offers certain African producers the opportunity to export a myriad of products including apparel, textiles and footwear, to the US with up to 35% reduction in duties. As a result, several recognised US brands and retailers are already sourcing from the region and taking great advantage of savings on both labour and duty rates.

The trade show encourages African buyers and manufacturers to do business with each other and capitalize on tariff advantages and shorter distances to market.

Source Africa is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is committed to strengthening trade and investment in Africa.

Source Africa, pan-African most important textile, clothing and footwear trade event on the global calendar, attracted over 1,600 international and regional buyers and featured country pavilions as the centrepiece of more than 200 African exhibitors interested in growing their exports.

Countries represented at the event include South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

African country pavilions, international business seminars, Enterprise Mauritius Fashion Show and cocktail receptions were held at the trade show. Another important element of the event was the business buyer matchmaking programme. Buyers had access to the exhibitor list prior to the show in order for them to plan and schedule meetings with exhibitors. Source Africa attracted over 1 600 decision makers who had the opportunity to view an extensive range of products and services from more than 200 exhibitors.

A series of seminars including key topics such as AGOA Renewal – the next 10 years was part of the presentation by top international speakers including: Gail Strickler, AUSTR for Textiles and Apparel, USTR (United States Trade Representative); Rosa Whitaker, CEO & President, Whitaker Group, USA; Janet Labuda, Vice President Compliance, Vandegrift Forwarding, USA; Mark Neuman, Global Trade Advisor, MGF Sourcing, USA.

William Scalco, Organiser of Source Africa said that with the African apparel and footwear industry emerging as a key stakeholder in the international market, Source Africa provides the perfect opportunity for manufacturers, wholesalers, brands and retailers to seek opportunities and sustainable partnerships with key players in this ever-evolving sector’.