In this day and age, social media and technology are taking over and helping to automate and ease a number of processes in our day to day lives. In the workplace as well, companies are leaning towards more technological processes to help ease their business processes. No industry is being left behind in this digital age. Fashion companies as well have adapted to and are applying a lot more technology in their businesses which helps make their lives easier, reduces operating costs and ensures they stay relevant with the changing trends. The African fashion industry is not being left behind in applying more digital approaches. Over the recent years, e-commerce has seen a steady growth both in Africa and beyond. Fashion ecommerce has made it possible for people to trade more internationally and from the comfort of their own homes without having to spend time visiting a mall or boutique. Here is a list of digital applications that are making waves and shaking the African fashion industry.

1. Jumia

Jumia is a digital marketplace based in both Nigeria and Kenya. Among other things, it offers clothing for all occasions. You can buy fashion items on Jumia from world class clothing brands such as Adidas, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Forever 21,Nike,North Face among many others. In addition, Jumia also stocks a number of local African designers eg Ikojn, Cris Njoki’s fashion brand, whose products are made easily accessible to a wider market. This helps to promote the local African fashion industry and give African designers a platform that connects them to buyers. You can compare and contrast prices, quality, and design aspects of the different types of clothing and choose whichever suits you best. Online buying has been made easier than ever through Jumia’s services that continue long after your purchase. Jumia provides free shipping for shoppers as well as cash on delivery. If the need arises, products can be returned under their flexible return policy.

2. Shop Zetu

Shop Zetu is a multi-brand digital marketplace platform that stocks and sells products from amazing African brands; from clothes, beauty, accessories, jewelry - you name it. They currently stock 11 brands some of which include Vivo woman, Zetu, Kipato Unbranded, Pauline Cosmetics, Ajani Handmade, Kidosho Apparel and Nywele Chronicles among others. Shop Zetu officially launched on the 18th of December 2019 and is Vivo Woman’s sister brand.

3. Fashion Africa 254

Fashion Africa 254 believes in fashion as a channel of communication and as the economic growth of a country, expressed through arts and creativity. This web application is a business that aims to enhance and develop the local fashion industry in Africa and strengthen the local markets as well. They present African fashion brands to European markets while connecting emerging talented designers to international opportunities. FA254 offers consultation services to African fashion designers about how to manage their businesses and brands, their design innovation and creativity in order to build their brands to an international level. Through collaboration with training institutions, they also offer training to local fashion workers to enhance their skills in order for them to compete on a global level. Fashion Africa 254 was founded by former model Waridi Schrobsdorff who was born in Kenya but is now based in Berlin. Through FA 254, Waridi aims to give her home country and the African continent key knowledge and expertise from the international fashion industry. As an ambassador for many African projects, she is regarded as a high profile and trusted voice for Africa. Some of FA 254’s partners include Tribe Hotel Kenya, Ebay, The Shifteye Gallery, The Association of Fashion Designers of Kenya, Goethe Institute, British Council of East African Arts, Couture Africa, Cotton Made in Africa and many more institutions that have committed to helping develop the African fashion industry.

4. Tailors Club

The tailors club is the place for tailors to expand their business and clients to meet and create new customized outfits. Is the perfect pool to find the right tailor to keep you up with the latest fashion trends. It is a brain child of Fashion Africa 254 and is also founded by Waridi Schrobsdorff. It can be really difficult to get connected with the right tailor for your outfit especially in some local areas in Africa where highly skilled tailors may not have access to the clients or tailoring opportunities. This application helps to connect both the tailors and clients to new opportunities and highly skilled and efficient workers. With the application, one can also get the latest trend researches so you can keep up with the international fashion world as well as download cuts and patterns to create customised pieces. As a tailor member you will also get discounts at their partner stores like Woman’s shop and Rainbow Fashions Ltd which are haberdasheries that stock high quality fashion tools to make the tailor’s work better.

5. Industrie Africa

Industrie Africa is the continent’s first digital showroom. It was founded by Nisha Kanabar and Georgia Bobley. Nisha (born and raised in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania) has worked for the likes of both Indian and American Vogue as a fashion marketer. Georgia (originally from New York) has a signature editorial voice and a unique point of view which has drawn her to storytelling through strategic content, and exploring the powerful role it plays across all mediums. Together, the two did their research around Africa and sourced for the brightest and best designers. They currently house over 80 designers from 24 nations across Africa. The platform provides media, buyers, customers and other insiders access to a comprehensive profile of Africa’s contemporary fashion landscape.

6. Fashionomics Africa

Last but certainly not least, is Fashionomics Africa which is a flagship initiative of the African Development Bank. The Fashionomics Africa digital marketplace website and mobile app is a platform enabling African entrepreneurs from the textile, apparel and accessories industries to create and grow their businesses, with a focus on opportunities for women and young people. The digital marketplace and mobile app provides relevant market information, like market prices for textiles and clothing or listings of trade conferences, to increase transparency in the sector. The aim is to connect suppliers, buyers, manufacturers and distributors to consumers and investors - to increase access and grow markets. To facilitate trade within Africa and worldwide, the digital marketplace and app operate through secure e-commerce and online payment systems.