The third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in the central Chinese city of Changsha from June 29 to July 2, and Kabaso Nkandu, creative director and head designer at Nkanda Yatu, a Zambian fashion brand, said his participation there gave him the chance to network with significant figures in the apparel industry in addition to selling his brand to the Chinese market.
The 34-year-old Nkandu attended the expo on behalf of the China-Kenya marketing company Development Reimagined, which is dedicated to introducing African goods to the Chinese market.
Sessions were held by the agency that covered marketing, finding business partners, and comprehending the Chinese market and business concepts.
And that’s crucial because it allows us to see that there are other markets than just the one in Zambia.
It expands our horizons and allows us to access new markets, such as the excellent Chinese market, he stated in an interview.
Nkandu, who specializes in custom suits for men and women as well as wedding attire, claimed that he met with fabric manufacturers during the expo.
This is significant because textiles have been one of the biggest obstacles to the growth of the garment industry in Zambia because the majority of textiles must be imported.
Because of the passion displayed during the expo, he expressed optimism that his brand will reach the Chinese market. “Watching Chinese people appreciate things from Africa was the main highlight of our trip.
I could tell from the level of curiosity that the Chinese market would take our brand in.
The fashion designer has subsequently urged Zambian enterprises to show a strong interest in attending events like the China-Africa trade exhibition, which are very helpful in presenting Zambian products to foreign markets.
Nkandu, who launched his company in 2017, was concerned that the garment industry has not gotten sufficient assistance despite its potential to support the economic growth of Zambia and many other African nations.
According to Nkandu, the garment industry’s small and medium-sized businesses do not have easy access to affordable financing that may help them increase their production.
According to him, there are numerous trends occurring in the garment business in terms of machinery, technology, and many other things. “We want the government’s support; we want the private sector’s support for us to be able to be competitive in the global market,” he stated.
Nkandu, who now employs 15 people, claimed to have discovered prospective investors but is having trouble locating collateral for the banks.
His company’s production would increase as a result of the investment, he continued, and 255 additional workers will be employed as a result.
“I’m just getting started. I can’t offer them any collateral so they can give me the bank guarantee. I’m appealing to the government and the business sector to give the clothing industry the priority and care it needs,” he continued.
Nkandu stated that his long-term goal is to become one of the best designers in the entire globe, not just in Africa.
He created history in September 2022 when he became the first designer from Zambia to participate in Milan Fashion Week in Italy.
This is why he chose the name Nkanda Yatu for his company, which is taken from a local language and means “our skin.”
He explained that the moniker is intended to inspire people to value and care for local prints in the same manner that they do their skin.
Content courtesy of CN & NFH
