Today, the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) together with the Embassy of Italy and the Nairobi Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), launched a new 3-year project funded by the Italian Government to foster sustainable fashion production and job creation in Kenya.
The event took place at the project’s main “incubation hub” at the Don Bosco Training Centre in Nairobi, in the presence of Hon. Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary State Department Medium and Small Enterprises; Her Excellency Mme. Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet; H.E. Roberto Natali Ambassador of Italy; Mr. Giovanni Grandi, Head of AICS Regional Office in Nairobi, Dr Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya; Mr. Alex Musembi, Co-Founder of Africa Collect Textiles; and, Ms. Lilian Kahiro, Director of Ushinde. The newly launched initiative leverages on the success of the EFI business model to empower self-help groups of artisans, micro-producers, and design entrepreneurs, with special attention to women and youth, through the promotion of circular design and production. 2,500 individuals from marginalized communities throughout the country are expected to benefit from this initiative through specialized training, improved working conditions and increased access to the market, with prominent international fashion firms.
H.E. the Ambassador of Italy underlined that this initiative marks another milestone in the renewed attention to the African continent and the friendly people of Kenya in the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa.
Giovanni Grandi, Head of AICS Nairobi, says « By empowering artisans, micro-producers, and entrepreneurs, our aim is to pave the way for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Employment and business creation stand as cornerstones of the Italian Cooperation’s commitment in Kenya, and through this initiative we aim at harnessing the potential offered by the incredible entrepreneurial drive of the Kenya population and of its young population».
“Kenyan artisans are already world-class creatives; what they sometimes still lack is access to the markets and systems at the international level that will allow them to take their production to the next level. This ITC initiative will provide that, marrying local and international expertise for a win-win situation in the fast-moving world of global fashion,” Dr Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya.
Working with Kenyan MSME’s – especially those employing women and youth – and enabling them to improve their competitiveness in domestic, regional and global trade, is a cornerstone for our country’s economic growth, states H.E. Ms Susan Wang’eni, PS State Dept. MSMEs; adding “I am delighted the Ethical Fashion Initiative, which has a solid track record in supporting MSME’s from the fashion value chain, is launching this project in Kenya, creating new employment opportunities and shining a light on our homegrown creative and productive capacities.”
