The second edition of the East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show officially opened Friday in Nairobi, bringing together over 70 exhibitors from Kenya and China in a vibrant showcase aimed at strengthening trade ties and promoting the region’s textile and apparel sector.
The three-day expo, which runs through Saturday, features a wide range of products including textiles, home décor, packaging materials, cosmetics, wigs, baby toys, and personal care items. Chinese enterprises are prominently represented, underscoring the event’s role in deepening commercial and cultural collaboration between China and East Africa.
Leading the Chinese delegation was Yin Maolin, Party chief of Mudan District in Heze City, Shandong Province, who noted that the fashion expo serves as a platform to strengthen supply chains and promote trade in high-quality manufactured goods.
“The fashion show reveals the potential of East Africa as a hub for sustainable textile and apparel production,” Yin said, emphasizing China’s interest in building long-term trade partnerships in the region.
Pius Rotich, General Manager for Investment Promotion at the Kenya Investment Authority, said the Kenyan government has created a favorable policy framework to attract investment in textiles and leather manufacturing. He noted the country’s strategic interest in boosting exports and creating jobs through partnerships with Chinese investors.
This year’s show, themed “Inspire Friendship, Connect World,” also attracted hundreds of Kenyan visitors, many of whom expressed enthusiasm for Chinese-made products. Female entrepreneur Waceke Mwaura praised the high-quality wigs on display and revealed plans to expand her hair import business from China. Similarly, pedicurist Paul Munyua visited to learn more about affordable beauty products suited to his clientele.
One of the highlights of the event was a colorful fashion show featuring students from Moi University, who modeled garments blending African and Chinese fabrics and designs. The display of cross-cultural fashion drew admiration and symbolized the growing friendship between the two regions.
Liz Nyakiongora, a Moi University communications student and part-time model, said the fashion fusion demonstrated the shared prosperity and solidarity between Kenya and China. Fellow student Cavince Otieno Ochieng described the show as a celebration of inclusivity, unity, and cultural understanding through fashion.
Biutha Mosomi, Dean of Students at Moi University’s Nairobi Campus, said the event offered young designers exposure while showcasing the richness and beauty of both African and Chinese textile traditions. “This show not only highlights creative talent but also opens doors for economic empowerment and global collaboration,” he said.
The fashion life show continues to position Nairobi as a growing hub for international textile trade and cultural exchange in East Africa.
Written By Rodney Mbua
