Afreximbank, Tranoï to showcase African designers in Paris, Tokyo
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative, has partnered with international fashion event organiser Tranoï to present the collections of 35 African fashion designers at two prestigious global fashion weeks in Japan and France.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the collaboration will provide 15 African designers the opportunity to showcase their Spring/Summer collections at Tranoï Tokyo during Japan Fashion Week, scheduled for September 3–4, 2025, at the Yoyogi National Stadium.
In addition, 20 African designers will participate in Tranoï Paris from October 2–5, 2025, during Paris Fashion Week. Of these, three will be selected by a jury of industry experts to present in an exclusive fashion show on October 3 at the historic Palais Brongniart.
The initiative is targeted at fashion designers or brands of African origin—either based on the continent or in the diaspora—who have a ready-to-wear collection with a distinctive creative identity. Eligible applicants must also demonstrate ethical or innovative design processes, have at least two previous collections, and maintain a commercial presence through a website or retail channels.
Participation in these events offers designers exclusive visibility and access to international buyers, media outlets, and fashion professionals. Selected designers will also receive sales support and exhibition space within the CANEX pavilions in both Paris and Tokyo. Applications are currently open and must be submitted online at https://www.tranoi.com/e/tranoi-x-canex by May 15, 2025.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, described the partnership as a key step in integrating African fashion into the global industry. “We are excited to join hands with Tranoï to create new opportunities for African fashion design talent to access the global fashion markets. This initiative aligns with our broader vision of leveraging the creative economy as a catalyst for Africa’s development,” she said.
The CANEX initiative is a strategic platform developed by Afreximbank to tackle the challenges of Africa’s creative industries through access to financing, training, mentorship, and international exposure. It aims to embed the continent’s creative economy into the global value chain.
A flagship of CANEX, the CANEX programme at IATF 2025 will take place from September 4–10 in Algiers, Algeria, as part of the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair. It is expected to host over 2,000 exhibitors and generate upwards of $44 billion in trade and investment deals. The event will feature exhibitions and summits spanning fashion, music, film, literature, culinary arts, and more, making it the largest gathering of creatives from across Global Africa.
