Destination Africa

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

QIZ (Qualifying Industrial Zones)

Egyptian industrial zones designated under the US-Egypt-Israel protocol; goods manufactured in a QIZ with the required Israeli content can enter the United States duty free, which makes zone location a recurring question in Egyptian apparel sourcing.

2

EU-Egypt Association Agreement

The free trade framework that lets most Egyptian industrial goods, textiles and apparel enter the EU duty free when they meet the agreement's rules of origin; exporters at the show usually hold the paperwork that proves origin.

3

CMT (cut, make, trim)

A production model where the buyer supplies fabric and trims and the factory charges for cutting, sewing and finishing only; it is the contrast to full-package or FOB programmes where the factory sources materials itself.

4

FOB (free on board)

The quoted price for finished goods delivered to the named port of shipment, with export clearance on the supplier's side; most apparel price negotiations at a sourcing fair are conducted on FOB terms.

5

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

The smallest order a mill or garment factory will accept, usually expressed in pieces per style or metres per fabric; MOQ is the first constraint to test when a buyer is sizing up a new supplier.

6

Tech pack

The buyer's technical specification for a style, covering measurements, construction, fabric, trims, colourways and labelling; bringing a tech pack to the show converts a general conversation into a quotable sampling request.

7

Vertical mill

A manufacturer that controls several production stages itself, typically spinning, weaving or knitting, dyeing, finishing and garment make-up; verticality shortens lead times and is a common selling point for Egyptian exporters.

8

GSM (grams per square metre)

The standard measure of fabric weight. Jersey T-shirt cloth typically sits around 140-180 GSM, fleece and sweatshirt fabrics run far higher, and buyers quote GSM alongside composition when comparing offers.

9

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

An independent certification that a textile article has been tested for harmful substances; it is one of the certificates buyers ask to see when a factory claims skin-safe or childrenswear-capable production.

10

Private label

Garments produced to a retailer's own brand rather than the factory's brand; private label buyers are the core audience for full-package programmes at African apparel sourcing shows.

11

Denim wash

The finishing stage that gives jeans their look and hand feel, including rinse, stone, enzyme, bleach and laser treatments; wash capability and laundry capacity are what separate a true denim factory from a general garment maker.

12

Sourcing agent / buying office

An intermediary who places and manages production with local factories on behalf of an overseas brand, handling sampling, quality control, inspections and shipment; many Cairo buying offices work for European and US retailers.

13

CAI

IATA code for Cairo International Airport, the main international gateway for the Cairo edition of Destination Africa.

14

EGP

Egyptian pound, the local currency used for hotel bills, Cairo Metro fares, taxi rides and cash purchases; card acceptance is common in hotels but not universal in taxis and small shops.