The African Fashion Guild (A.F.G), a pioneering non-profit collective, founded by Ntombi Khambule, has officially launched. Ntombi with her many years of industry experience and brand building expertise recognised a gap in the market and understood that sustainability as a fashion designer was severely lacking. Without proper support and collective unity our fashion industry will continue to decline. Their mission: to unify, support, and elevate the African fashion industry on the local & global stage. Rooted in the profound symbolism of the Baobab tree - a timeless emblem of survival, community, and ancestral legacy, the African Fashion Guild seeks to build a resilient ecosystem where African fashion is preserved, celebrated, and empowered.
With a mandate to establish globally recognised standards, nurture long-term economic sustainability, and amplify the visibility of African designers, the guild positions itself not just as an institution, but as a movement shaping the future of African fashion with purpose and pride.
“Our industry is rich in creativity, heritage, and innovation, but it needs structural support to thrive globally,” says Ntombi Khambule, founder & president of the African Fashion Guild. “The Guild exists to provide that foundation - bridging creative excellence with business acumen, so African designers can compete, sustain, and lead on the world stage.”
The Guild’s initial phase focuses on infrastructure and capacity-building through business diagnostics, digital designer directories and production efficiency programs. Then in the long term, they aim to create certified manufacturing facilities, expand retail opportunities, unlock designer financing mechanisms, and secure international trade access in collaboration with global fashion weeks and retail platforms.
By forging strategic alliances with governments, development finance institutions, NGOs, and global fashion councils, AFG ensures that African fashion’s growth is not only creative but also sustainable, ethical, and impactful.
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