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.