Messe Frankfurt announces major textile fairs for Nairobi in 2027

Messe Frankfurt has announced a significant expansion into East Africa, confirming that three of its leading international textile trade fair brands will be launched in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2027. The move, revealed during the opening of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week, will see Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess integrated into the Nairobi edition of the event on an annual basis.

Messe Frankfurt announces Nairobi expansion

The decision reflects the growing importance of East Africa as a dynamic and fast-developing region for textile manufacturing and sourcing. Kenya, in particular, offers a favourable environment for international companies, supported by political stability, increasing access to sustainable energy, a rising base of design talent and relatively short transport routes to key markets.

Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week has already established itself as a major platform for sourcing, networking and investment across the continent’s textile and fashion sectors. By incorporating its established brands into the Nairobi event, Messe Frankfurt aims to strengthen the exhibition’s global visibility while enhancing its role as a central hub linking international buyers with African manufacturers.

The expanded platform will cover the entire textile value chain, reinforcing Nairobi’s position within global sourcing networks. Organisers expect around 150 exhibitors and more than 5,000 trade visitors from over 50 countries at the 2026 edition, with further growth anticipated following the introduction of the additional trade fair formats.

Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, emphasised the strategic importance of the region, noting that Africa is emerging as a key growth market for the global textile industry. He highlighted the company’s commitment to building long-term, sustainable partnerships that benefit both local producers and international stakeholders.

Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, described the move as a natural extension of the company’s Texpertise Network, drawing on over a decade of experience in Ethiopia. He underlined the importance of connecting global demand with regional supply while supporting the sustainable development of emerging markets.

Skander Negasi, CEO of Trade and Fairs Group, pointed to Kenya’s rapidly expanding textiles and clothing sector, which currently exports apparel worth around 500 million US dollars annually. He added that the country is becoming an increasingly attractive hub for fashion production, particularly as brands seek shorter supply chains and faster turnaround times.

With more than 60 textile trade fairs worldwide, Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network connects over 500,000 industry participants, providing a comprehensive platform for business, innovation and information exchange across the global textile industry.