Gaborone, Botswana — Mmantlha Sankoloba, Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA), will represent Botswana at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow from September 28 to 30.

The Summit, officially recognised within the BRICS agenda, is regarded as one of the fashion industry’s leading international forums. Since its inception, it has hosted experts from 109 countries, and this season will again convene professionals from Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Organisers say the gathering comes at a time of structural shifts in the global fashion sector, with logistics routes, consumer behaviour, and regional manufacturing hubs changing rapidly.

The Summit’s intensive business programme will feature more than 250 speakers addressing topics ranging from supply chain restructuring and sustainable production to artificial intelligence in design and retail.

Sankoloba noted that the event’s emphasis on South‑South cooperation, cultural diversity, and digital transformation offers Botswana new entry points into export networks across fast‑growing economies.

“It creates opportunities for businesses to build strategic partnerships, attract investment, exchange knowledge and access global value chains,” she said.

Africa remains a key sourcing and manufacturing hub for the global fashion industry, with a new generation of brands seeking distribution beyond domestic markets. For Botswana, participation in the Summit is expected to strengthen links in textile manufacturing and designer retail.

Confirmed African delegates include Stephen Manzini, CEO of Soweto Fashion Week (South Africa); Kalistu Ramos Mukoroli, Director of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week (Namibia); and Emmanuel Muchindu Miyoba, Director of Lusaka Fashion Weekend (Zambia).

The Summit coincides with Moscow Fashion Week, running September 26 to October 1, which will showcase more than 70 designers from Spain, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the UK, Kazakhstan, China, Russia and other countries. Mali’s Mariah Bocoum Couture will also present a collection, further highlighting Africa’s growing presence on international platforms.