Opening Ceremony West Africa Connect

Speakers:

Mr. Mamadou Traoré
Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector Promotion, Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Ms. Inga Stefanowicz
Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy – EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS
Mr. Rafik Feki
Industrial Development Officer, Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Mr. Yared Befecadu
Programme Manager WACOMP – International Trade Centre (ITC)

Moderator:

Ms. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Webinar 1: “Tendances pour la saison automne hiver 2023, Inspirations, Portrait de consommateurs, Drivers esthétiques, Gammes de couleurs, Inspirations produits/ prints / valeurs ajoutée”

Speaker:

Mrs. Catherine Basquin
Nelly Rodi

Moderator:

Mrs. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Webinar 2: “The role of digitalization and innovation in building a competitive and sustainable textile and garments value chain in West Africa”

Speakers:

Mr. Marco Kamiya
Chief, Innovation and Digitalization Division – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Mr. Kamel Hendaoui
Director, Industrial Upgrading Office of the Ministry of Industry of Tunisia

Mr. Ramzi Tebai
International Textile Expert

Mr. Mohsen Missaoui
Director, Textile Technical Center (CETTEX) of the Ministry of Industry of Tunisiav

Moderator:

Mr. Rafik Feki
Industrial Development Officer, Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Webinar 3: “Making a case for the integration of fair trade into the textile value chain in West Africa”

Speaker:

Mr. Bernard Outah
Regional Director World Fair Trade

Moderator:

Mrs. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Webinar 4: “The use of e-commerce in the textile and garments supply chain”

“Success stories of African Textiles and Garments on E-commerce platforms”

Speakers:

Mrs. Fatou Diagne
Fashionomics African Development Bank

How to boost SME e-commerce sales through digital channels?

Mrs. Sarah Carroll
Founder – Grow Global

Moderator:

Mr. Bastien Chesnoy
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Webinar 5: “Identifying investment opportunities in the Textile/Apparel and ICT sectors in West Africa – Introducing the ECOWAS Regional Investment Profiles: a tool for investors”

Speaker: 

Mr. Jose Martins
Representative of Cabo Verde TradeInvest in Northern Europe

Moderators:

Mr. Yvan Rwananga
Trade Policy Consultant, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Mrs. Devika Rajeev
Associate Programme Officer, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Mrs. Fabiana Fong
Trade in Services Consultant, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Webinar 6: “Exporting from Africa to the world – an inspirational look at what it takes to successfully develop, produce and export products to international markets”

Speaker:

Mr. Mark Kwami
Design Consult

Moderator:

Mrs. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Webinar 7: “Fireside chat -The Impact of Covid-19 on Digitalization in West Africa: Focus on the Fashion and Home Decor sector”

Speakers:

Mr. Tsonam Akpeloo
Greater Accra Chairman of Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) & CEO – Suku Technologies

Mrs. Yoanna Chikezie
The Assembly Hub founder

Moderator:

Mr. Martin Labbé
Tech Sector Development Coordinator, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Webinar 8: “Textile Industry approach towards sustainability”

“Challenges & Opportunities in the West African Textile Industry”

Speakers:

Mrs. Fiona Coyne
Former Sourcing Director & CSR – VLISCO GROUP

Inspirational Innovation for a Planet Positive Future

Mrs. Clara Brook
Project Manager H&M Foundation

Moderator:

Mrs. Zubeida Zwavel
Executive Director of Centre for African Resource Efficiency and Sustainability (CARES)

Webinar 9: “Inspiring future for the textile industry”

“Trends, product inspiration, innovative fashion design: the case study of Armenia”

Speaker:

Saten Khoshoyan
Deputy CEO, Satenkar llc (Armenia)

The road ahead, forecasts and scenarios for the West African Textile and Garments industry

Mrs. Jacqueline Brown
Africa Fashion Guide

Moderator:

Mrs. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Webinar 10: “Fashion entrepreneurship in West Africa and market opportunities for MSMEs, artisans and their communities”

“Fashion Entrepreneurship in West Africa: Branding and Intellectual Property Right”

Speakers:

Mrs. Jennifer Williams-Baffoe
Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion – Lecturer-Willbaforce Academy

Exporting in USA Market for Global handmade businesses and small batch products: The Top market trends and competitive advantage for West Africa MSMEs

Mrs. Karen Gibbs
ByHand Consulting

Unearthing the long-term needs of West African artisans and their communities.

Mr. Aboubakar FOFANA
Indigo Dyer, Artist and Textile Designer from Mali

Moderator:

Mrs. Haram Sidibe
International Trade Centre (ITC)

Closing Ceremony West Africa Connect

Speakers:

Mr. Mamadou Traoré
Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector Promotion, Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Mr. Rafik Feki
Industrial Development Officer, Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Mr. Yared Befecadu
Programme Manager WACOMP – International Trade Centre (ITC)

Moderator:

Ms. Valeria Escudero
Globally Cool

Ms. Wietske Zandberg
Globally Cool