Africa's biggest Sourcing event for the fashion industry
4,000+ buyers | 150+ hosted buyers | $4bn textile imports annually | $194bn retail market
24 – 27 August 2026
Lagos, Nigeria
Thank you for attending Source Textile and Apparel West Africa & Africa Textile And Apparel Manufacturing & Trade Policy Summit
See you in 2026!
Source Textile & Apparel West Africa is the region’s leading international sourcing event for apparel, textiles, machinery, and fashion accessories. Bringing together global suppliers and West Africa’s most influential retailers, importers, and distributors, the exhibition is where sourcing decisions are made, contracts are signed, and new products are launched. Alongside the trade show, the Africa Textile & Apparel Manufacturing & Trade Policy Summit convenes government leaders, manufacturers, and investors to shape the future of the industry.
In 2024, over 61% of visitors attended specifically to source new suppliers, with more than 1,900 pre-arranged B2B meetings taking place onsite. The audience is made up of true decision-makers — 70% retailers, 68% importers, and 52% distributors — guaranteeing that exhibitors meet professionals with purchasing power. With exhibitors from 12 countries securing new contracts and appointing agents across Nigeria and West Africa, the event has proven itself as the fastest route into Africa’s $194bn retail market and $4bn textile import sector.
The Fastest Route to Buyers, Distributors & Market Entry Across West Africa and Beyond
61% of visitors attended specifically to find new suppliers
1,900+ pre-arranged B2B meetings delivered onsite in 2024
Buyers included 70% retailers, 68% importers, and 52% distributors with real purchasing power
Exhibitors from 12 countries secured contracts and appointed new agents across Nigeria and West Africa
10–20 exclusive hosted international buyers, each with budgets between $100,000 and $1 million, flown in from key markets to source new products and partnerships
Nigeria’s $194bn retail market and $4bn textile imports make Lagos the natural gateway to 55 African markets under AfCFTA
STA is where scale meets quality — thousands of West African buyers, plus handpicked international decision-makers with six-figure sourcing budgets, all in one place.
What To Expect
VIP Hosted Buyer Programme
Our VIP Hosted Buyer Programme guarantees exhibitors direct access to high-level decision-makers. In 2024, hosted buyers and VIPs were pre-matched with suppliers, resulting in 1,900+ one-to-one meetings and contracts signed on the show floor.
For 2026, we are elevating the programme further:
10–20 exclusive international buyers flown in from key sourcing markets, each with budgets between $100,000 and $1 million
Senior Nigerian and West African retailers, importers, and distributors pre-qualified and scheduled for targeted meetings
Dedicated Buyers Lounge and networking sessions to strengthen business relationships
No other sourcing event in West Africa delivers this level of guaranteed access to budget-ready buyers.
Nigeria: Africa’s Gateway Market
Nigeria is Africa’s largest retail economy and its fastest-growing fashion hub — the gateway no global supplier can afford to overlook.
Over $4 billion in textiles and ready-to-wear imports every year
A $194 billion retail sector, the biggest on the continent
Fashion sales growing at 23% annually, outpacing every other African market
Lagos — the world’s 3rd largest mega city, with 20+ million consumers and regional trade leaders
Under AfCFTA, one deal in Lagos unlocks access to 55 African markets, powering both imports into Nigeria and exports of raw materials, semi-finished goods, finished apparel, and homegrown designs across Africa and beyond
Exhibiting at STA isn’t just about visibility — it’s about plugging into Africa’s entire textile and fashion value chain, from cotton fields to couture, and positioning your brand for long-term growth across the continent.
Africa’s Export Potential
Unlock Africa’s Growing Textile & Fashion Exports
Africa is not only a leading import market — it is an emerging export powerhouse. With AfCFTA driving intra-African trade and global demand rising for African textiles, machinery, and fashion, STA is the hub where suppliers, buyers, and designers connect to capture these opportunities.
Raw Materials & Semi-Finished Goods
Cotton, leather, fabrics, embroidery, trims, and accessories in demand across Africa.
Finished Fashion & Design
Ready-to-wear, luxury apparel, footwear, and home décor increasingly exported to regional and global markets.
Machinery & Technology Solutions
Textile machinery, finishing equipment, and packaging technology exported into developing African manufacturing hubs.
Lifestyle & Home Textiles
Bedding, upholstery, and interior fabrics driving both regional trade and international exports.
Highlight Video
Why Attend?
- Network with hundreds of regional and international textile and apparel industry professionals as Source Textile & Apparel West Africa has become the Pan-African annual event for African manufacturers.
- Meet with regional and international buyers from some of the world’s biggest retailers.
- Meet with export focused manufacturers exporting across the world.
- Find out about the latest industry trends.
- Explore intra-regional trade and form new business relationships.
- Meet key brands and trade buyers from across Nigeria and West Africa at all levels of the market
- Leverage a strong and growing import market in key sectors and fast-track your business growth in Nigeria
- Showcase your business to a highly targeted, professional audience of buyers and industry peers.
- Receive detailed and invaluable direct market feedback from trade buyers
- Event organiser with 20 years’ experience running industry-leading trade and fashion events in Africa
Past Speakers
Prof Yemi Osibajo
Mrs Folake Oyemade
Alhaji Kajaffar
Mrs Sola Babatunde
News & Insights
Past Exhibitor Testimonials
Partners
Co-Organiser
Official Partner for Turkey
Official Partner for China
Media Partners
