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ABOUT
THE GFVC AFRICA ECOSYSTEM
LEGAL PERSONALITY
Guided by the Aspirations and High-Road, Foundational Strategy of the GFVC Africa, we align our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Rooted in our shared cultural and economic heritage, our mission is to build an integrated ecosystem that fosters industrial transformation, ethical leadership, economic decolonization, and human dignity through fashion value chain development.
The Global Fashion Value Chain Federation of Africa ("GFVC AFRICA ECOSYSTEM") was established in 2016 and registered in 2019 in the Republic of South Africa. It is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and is a Public Benefit Organization (PBO). GFVC Africa operates as a pan-African, politically independent, non-profit ecosystem institution dedicated to these goals:
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Reimagining and transforming Africa's fashion value chain through innovation, technology, and by working with policy (aligned with SDG 9.2, targeting manufacturing value-added growth),;
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Advancing economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability for all African communities;
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Catalyzing local industrial development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and intercontinental trade, and ensuring public and private sector participation;
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Accelerating Africa's industrialization journey and securing a greater share of global value for Pan-African states and communities;
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Promoting and protecting intellectual property, cultural heritage, human rights, and the economic sovereignty of African creative industries.
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Governing Law
GFVC Africa shall be governed by:
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The Non-Profit Organizations Act, No. 71 of 1997;
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The Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008, as applicable to non-profit companies (NPCs);
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The Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962 (South Africa), applies to the organization upon obtaining Public Benefit Organization (PBO) status and determines tax exemptions and obligations.
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The 2017 Master Constitutional Charter of the Global Fashion Value Chain Ecosystem of Africa (Federal GFVC AFRICA) serves as the supreme foundational document for governance.
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The 2017 Master Constitutional Charter of the GFVC AFRICA ECOSYSTEM overrides all other internal instruments. It enshrines political independence and ensures legal continuity. The Charter also safeguards GFVC Africa's mission during leadership transitions and policy changes. No organ, entity, or individual may override its authority
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Institutional Symbols and Emblems
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The emblems of GFVC Africa, the GFVC Africa Commission, and National Ecosystems are all official. They are also legally protected symbols of the organization. These emblems represent its vision, authority, and identity.
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The GFVC Africa emblem, the GFVC Africa Commission emblem, and the National Ecosystem emblems are all adopted in accordance with the Emblems Annexe. Protection for these emblems is also governed by the Emblems Annexe.
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No reproduction, modification, or use of these emblems is permitted without express written authorization from the Executive Commission.
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Membership of the Assembly is reserved for institutions and collective bodies, not individuals:
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Members of The Assembly:
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Membership of the Assembly is reserved for institutions and collective bodies, not individuals.
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Members of The Assembly:
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Permanent Members​
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GFVC AFRICA COMMISSION
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Regional Commission’s Technical Experts (knowledge Community Partners)
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Regional Council Representatives: National Government, Private Sector, Traditional Authority/Leadership
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The High-Road Growth Finance Institution Representative
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Smart GFVC Africa Representative
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International Policy and Advocacy Agencies Representatives
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Observers from relevant African Union institutions and international partners.
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Our Constituency:
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Unorganized industry players in the informal sector, rural, peri-urban, and township communities, youth, women, and people with disabilities, industry labour unions, organized businesses and associations, government agencies, private sector entities, academic institutions, and international development actors comprise our constituency.
GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The GFVC Africa Assembly and the Commission of GFVC Africa are two integral components of the organization's governance structure. The Assembly is the supreme decision-making body, while the Commission is responsible for implementing decisions and policies.
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Key Functions of the Commission:
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Executing the Budget: The Commission oversees the organization's financial operations, ensuring the effective allocation and utilization of resources.
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Managing GFVC AFRICA's Flagship Programs in collaboration with Smart GFVC Africa: It develops, implements, and monitors programs aligned with GFVC Africa's objectives, thereby promoting the organization's and its members' interests.
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The Commission operates under the authority of the 54 member countries of the GFVC Africa Assembly and performs coordinating, executive, and management functions.
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Governance Framework:
The Charter of GFVC Africa serves as the primary reference and source of authority, outlining the organization's objectives, organs, bodies, and leadership responsibilities. This framework ensures transparency, accountability, and adherence to established protocols.
Constitutional Supremacy:
The Constitutional Charter holds supreme authority and is binding, with no individual or entity authorized to repeal or alter its provisions. This ensures stability and consistency in the organization's governance and operations.
GFVC AFRICA INSTITUTIONS
Institutional Framework
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The GFVC Africa shall establish a robust institutional framework designed to:
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Uphold its values and advance its objectives.
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Serve the interests of its diverse stakeholders, including members, communities, regions, states, and municipalities.
Ensure the consistency, effectiveness, and continuity of its harmonized policies and actions, thereby fostering a cohesive, responsive organization that better serves its members and stakeholders.
Our Institutions
The GFVC Africa shall comprise the following institutions:
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GFVC Africa Assembly: supreme governing authority.
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GFVC Africa Commission (Secretariat): executive and coordinating body.
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National Ecosystems and their Council: domestic implementation groups
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Municipal Clusters of the national ecosystem and their Council
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International Policy and Advocacy Agencies: global representation and partnerships
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The High-Road Growth Finance Institution: investment and financing arm
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SMART GFVC AFRICA: The Commission's permanent flagship programme implementation partner, focusing on sustainable high-tech solutions and value chain industrialization development.
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Independent Auditors of the GFVC Africa: oversight, audit, and assurance body
OVERVIEW
The Federal GFVC AFRICA is an uncompromisingly politically independent continental ecosystem and the global voice of 54 member states and eight regional economic communities recognized by the African Union. It was inspired by a visionary South African woman, namely Ms. Ntombikayise Patricia Nkosi, who began working on the concept in 2016 with a clear mission: to bring Africa together to establish an ecosystem of fashion that accelerates innovation across the value chain, small enterprises, regional communities, and countries. This ecosystem will exploit the untapped opportunities presented by the industrialization of the fashion ecosystem, including agriculture, mining, technology, film, and manufacturing.
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The Federal GFVC Africa is unwavering in its commitment to defeat youth unemployment and rural poverty through the full industrialization and development of the fashion value chain. It is determined to address the continent's structural inequality challenge and to provide a global political voice that enables and gives voice to youth and women, regardless of their socio-economic status, rural-urban divides, race, gender, ability, or age. It is also relentlessly focused on empowering black rural manufacturing, mining, and agricultural "left-behinds" and small enterprises.
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The organization is driven by its common vision of building a high-road industrial future economy that unites, transforms, and improves the welfare and well-being of Africans while respecting its ecological limits. It is wholly dedicated to achieving this vision through partnerships, economic integration, and advancing industry and people to maximize the benefits of Industry 4.0 and the circular economy for all.
GFVC AFRICA EMBLEM
Official Recognition
The emblem of GFVC AFRICA is hereby recognised as the official and legally protected symbol of the organisation. It embodies GFVC Africa’s high-road industrialisation model, foundational governance values, and visionary alignment with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Emblem Description
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Core Structure: Two intersecting circles in shades of grey or silver, set against a grey–azure background (#8B9DA6).
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Left Circle: A ring of stars encircling the wheel of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, symbolising unity, harmony, and technological innovation.
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Right Circle: A globe featuring a borderless map of Africa, symbolising Africa’s central role in global trade and economic sovereignty.
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Intersection: Forms an infinity symbol, representing Africa’s sacred cultural legacy and infinite regenerative capacity.
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Symbolism
The emblem conveys institutional excellence, Pan-African unity, innovation, ecological balance, and the continent’s rightful place as a global economic leader.
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Legal Protection
The emblem is the intellectual and creative property of the Founder of GFVC Africa.
Its use is restricted to:
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Official insignia;
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Legal instruments;
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Publications;
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Ceremonial and official branding of GFVC Africa and its programmes.