A YEAR OF PURPOSE, CIRCULARITY & PAN-AFRICAN IMPACT

2025 was a year that deepened Eco Fashion Week Africa’s identity as one of the most planet-friendly and inclusive fashion shows in Africa and internationally.
EFWA continued to challenge the norms of fashion weeks by centering:

• Circularity

• Community-led innovation

• Climate justice

• Youth empowerment

• Cultural authenticity

• Disability inclusion

• Women-led leadership

And most of all, the belief that Africa is not catching up to the world; the world is catching on to Africa.

This review captures the moments that shaped our year and strengthened EFWA’s global and continental relevance.

MARCH: Fashion Enters National Dialogue

EFWA at the People’s Dialogue Festival (PDF), Nairobi

Partner: https://peopledialoguefestival.org

For the first time in the festival’s history, fashion was invited into the national conversation on development and civic engagement.
EFWA led a session at the SDG Village, highlighting the impact of fashion on the Sustainable Development Goals and showcasing a No New Clothes Runway.

Our presence reinforced this truth:
When people understand their role in the problem, they become excited to be part of the solution.

MARCH: UN International Day of Zero Waste

EFWA was honored to contribute to the United Nations observance of Zero Waste Day, presenting our circular fashion model as a replicable African solution to global textile waste.

Partners:

• UNEP → https://www.unep.org

• UN-Habitat → https://unhabitat.org

APRIL: EFWA in Madrid for Circular Sustainable Fashion Week

Partners:

• Circular Sustainable Fashion Week Madrid @csfwmadrid → https://instagram.com/csfwmadrid

• The Circular Project @thecircularproject → https://instagram.com/thecircularproject

• Argentinian Embassy & Argentinian Designers

During Fashion Revolution Week, EFWA was invited to join one of Europe’s most established circular fashion platforms.
Our co-founder participated in:

• A panel discussion

• A radio interview

• Designer roundtables

• Cultural exchanges

This opened pathways for global–African collaborations that will benefit EFWA designers in future seasons.

MAY: Local, Community-Centered Change

This month marked the rise of EFWA-inspired initiatives, proving that sustainability becomes powerful when it becomes replicable.

 

JUNE — World Environment Day at Strathmore University

Partners:

• Strathmore University @strathmore.university → https://instagram.com/strathmore.university

• Zingira @zingiraorg → https://instagram.com/zingiraorg

• Strathmore SESC @strathmore_sesc → https://instagram.com/strathmore_sesc

• IRSAK @irsakofficial → https://instagram.com/irsakofficial

JUNE — A Ripple of Impact in Kilifi

An EFWA-inspired event, led by young designer @dynamite_hooks → https://instagram.com/dynamite_hooks, took place in Kilifi — proving that EFWA’s model empowers youth to replicate sustainability in their own communities.

JUNE — Afrocentric Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Partners:

• Sisters in Climate @sistersinclimate → https://instagram.com/sistersinclimate

• African Climate Alliance @africanclimatealliance → https://instagram.com/africanclimatealliance

• Event leads @natalie.sifuma / @zainymejja

Our co-founder Ruth Anyango contributed to conversations across Mombasa, Nairobi, and Zimbabwe, advocating for Afrocentric knowledge systems in climate solutions.

JULY — Creative Exchange in Kampala

Partners:

• Saba Onomo / Onomo Hotel Nakasero @saba.onomo → https://instagram.com/saba.onomo

• British Council @britishcouncil @eastafricaarts

• The Roundabout Kampala @theroundaboutkla → https://instagram.com/theroundaboutkla

• Musicians: @liboi, @aliddekibrian

Belinda connected with creatives across East Africa, strengthening cross-border cultural collaborations.

OCTOBER — REthink. REwear. REimagine. at The Social House Nairobi

Partners:

• The Social House Nairobi @thesocialhousenairobi_ → https://instagram.com/thesocialhousenairobi_

• JUA by AGAR @jua_by_agar → https://instagram.com/jua_by_agar

• Aulgah Nato @aulgah_nato → https://instagram.com/aulgah_nato

• Lintons Beauty World @lintonsbeautyworld → https://instagram.com/lintonsbeautyworld

• Deepa Dosaja @deepa.dosaja → https://instagram.com/deepa.dosaja

• Moderator Angela Wambui @kq.kenyanqueen → https://instagram.com/kq.kenyanqueen

A day of powerful conversations, styling demos, and swapping — proving that fashion with purpose builds conscious community.

EFWA Youth Day — The Future of Circular Fashion

Partner: Delight Technical College

Young designers, students, and innovators explored how creativity can shape a circular future. This is where Africa’s next generation of fashion leaders emerge.

EFWA Talks x Sister Speaks x Kofisi

Partners:

• Sister Speaks @sisterspeaks254 → https://instagram.com/sisterspeaks254

• Kofisi Centres @kofisicentres → https://instagram.com/kofisicentres

• Panelists: @nandigirl_ @iamladymandy @belinda.beey

A dynamic mini runway, panel, swap, and styling session created a vibrant prelude to the EFWA finale.

NOVEMBER — EFWA Season 3: A Runway of Purpose

Venue Partner:

• Gem Forest MGallery @gemforestmgallery → https://instagram.com/gemforestmgallery

Sponsors:

• Babylon Hospitality @babylon_hospitality

• CMD Kenya @cmdkenya → https://cmd.go.ke

• Premier Beauty Clinic @premier_beauty_clinic

Support Partners:

• Billione Events @billioneventsea

• Lintons Beauty World @lintonsbeautyworld

• Lintons Spa & Hair Studio @lintonsspaandhairstudio

• Lintons Academy @lintonsacademy

Inclusion Spotlight: Alice Mbere

@alice_mbere → https://instagram.com/alice_mbere

Alice embodied EFWA’s culture of inclusion — walking confidently in eco-conscious custom designs and reminding us that:
“Difference is beautiful.”

EFWA Season 3 proved that sustainable fashion in Africa is:
bold, inclusive, eco-conscious, culturally rooted, and globally relevant.

Environmental Justice & Policy Engagement

EFWA contributed to discussions aligned with UNEA-7 through the Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, represented by @dolitheseamstress.

Partners / Mentions:

• UNEA → https://unea.unep.org

• Major Groups & Stakeholders Forum

• Youth, Women, Indigenous communities, NGOs

Our message:
Sustainable fashion is environmental justice.

WHY EFWA IS ONE OF THE MOST PLANET-FRIENDLY FASHION EVENTS GLOBALLY

Eco Fashion Week Africa stands out because it is:

 Circular at its core

“No New Clothes” runway theme is a commitment.

 Deeply community-led

Events are intentionally replicable for youth and local designers.

 Rooted in environmental justice

EFWA links fashion to climate justice, waste colonialism, and women’s health.

 Internationally recognized

Engagements with the UN, global fashion weeks, and policy platforms.

 Inclusive by design

Disability representation is embedded—not added.

 Africa-centered, globally relevant

African creativity continues to influence global sustainability conversations.

Join us for Season 4. Explore PARTNERSHIPS to learn how you can be part of this impactful movement.