Africa’s fashion industry is evolving into a technological based entity, something unexpected yet forthcoming and highly anticipated. What exactly does this advancement have in store for the continent?
Technology saves time and money. It is affordable, sustainable and conserves energy. It leads to faster information, services, and resolutions. A few ways Africa will be in the forefront of the digital revolution through fashion & technology are:
Artificial Intelligence or AI-
The term Artificial Intelligence refers to computers and machines that can work exactly like us humans. AI in the fashion industry can provide customers with a more personalized shopping experience by taking the customers interest into account. This saves you time because you will know exactly what your consumers want. (Source: retresco.de)
Voice technology-
Typing has become such a drag, people now prefer voice notes or voice technology. This will allow consumers to search and select items without ever laying a finger on the phone, it will make life much easier. (Source: business.com)
Internet of Things-
IoT is a tech buzz word that is everywhere these days. The use of IoT in fashion is here to improve both the shopping experience and fashion aspect itself. Through this technology clothing items get to be connected to the internet, many apps have made it accessible, known as online shopping. (Source: Bakom-admin)
When it comes to Africa and technology, it is believed that the continent isn’t very innovative. Unlike many 1st world countries, Africa has yet to prove itself on many realms of multiple spectrums, however countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya have proven that they are capable of finding fashion solutions with the help of technology.
African Fashion Businesses that Use Technology:
Honey Ogundeyi is founder of the much celebrated Fashpa. It is a retail tech business that is thriving in Nigeria. Ogendeyi overcame different challenges to become the west African’s leading online store. With customers across 10 countries, the founder admits that 95 percent are Nigerian fashionistas.
(Source: Fashnerd.com)
Another online e-commerce platform that is making a name for itself is ONYCHEK.com . Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Chekwas Okafor, ONYCHEK has built a reputation for stocking only the best of African couture from some of the continent’s most celebrated designers. (Source: ONYCHEK.com)
Technologist Mariéme Jamme is a Senegalese-born British businesswoman who founded a consultancy company called Spotone Global Solutions, that helps technology companies set a foothold in Africa. A regular speaker at Women of the World her ventures are supported many organizations such as Google, Microsoft, UN Women, and The Africa Progress Panel chaired by Kofi Annan.
(Source: fashnerd.com)
With a lot of tech innovations happening within the fashion industry in Africa, now is the perfect time to let go of some of the misconceptions about the continent, and look forward to what promises to be a thriving future. Through sustainable quality, aspiration and unlimited creativity among the leading game changers in African fashion, we can only look forward to competing with global players.
