The Origin Africa expo to be held in Nairobi is conceptualized to raise awareness about Africa as a key sourcing destination for supply of cotton, textile products and fabrics. Seven Eastern Africa countries have signed up for the event, with more than 20 other African states expected to show interest.

African Cotton Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) aims at making Origin Africa expo the largest and most comprehensive Trade Expo in East Africa, reflecting the fibre to fashion supply chain at its most complete. It will put together an unmatched access to over 125 exhibitors from across East Africa representing the region’s most important markets.

Major international clothing brands are set to exhibit in a trade fair as the textile industry looks to strike deals. Germany's world-famous men's clothing line Hugo Boss, UK's Marks and Spencer, Swedish H&M and American fashion house Calvin Klein are among 40 brands to exhibit at the trade fair.

The expo will be giving the students from universities, fashion design colleges and upcoming fashion designers, an opportunity to put forward their ideas with the hope that they can have a platform to network and develop markets for their products.

The Expo will provide the global audience of retailers, brands, business leaders and designers, the forum and opportunity to establish contacts and linkages with East African industry, and to do business – whatever direction that trade flow is.

The participants will also get a chance to take part in the discussion forum on how to improve the cotton value chain from fibre to fashion. It will create a platform for suppliers for building competiveness for new market access intra-regional and extra regional.

In partnership with the host country and associations, a designer showcase will be organized to further showcase the capacities and opportunities for local, regional and international buyers to establish contacts with African designers and industry, and to do business.

Origin African will be an important platform for buyers, manufacturers, suppliers and investors to negotiate business relationships. After the Origin African event visits to manufacturing facilities will be immediately organized to further help in the exploration for sourcing or investment.

The Origin Africa presents Kenya 2014 will be held from November 10th -12th at Nairobi InterContinental.