African designers have struggled in the past due to the lack of equality investors show when starting a business with them. 2017 was not the exception, and designers are still struggling to win the kind of support fashion players in other parts of the world have. They are no longer content with the support that- although has increased in the past years – is still not enough for them.

Africa’s fashion sector has all the talent and capacity to compete with the worlds most recognized catwalks, but it seems that it is not being understood by investors whom have not yet started to treat them as equals to contribute to their economic growth. The potential is huge but remains almost intact in the whole continent. According to AFTB, in Africa, if fashion and other creative industries were properly exploited, they would be capable of creating enough jobs to support 13million people that would be joining the labor market every year. This has to happen.

Even though this subject is definitely a challenge for Africans, we offer you the best advice we can give you, which is that once you have called the attention of an investor, you shine so that there is no way he/she wont want to support you. How can you be prepared? Well, start by creating the ideal executive summary. This should be no more than two pages long, include graphs and pictures that show in a simple way what you are trying to demonstrate and make sure it complies with the “Must 5 list” that a summary must include (who, what, where, when and why?) Definitely, be confident about your project and make others love it as much as you do.

2018 can be your year and we will make sure to fill you in on the greatest tips so that when your moment arrives – you will be ready to shine and boom your business!!