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ABOUT
THE GFVC AFRICA ECOSYSTEM
LEGAL PERSONALITY
The Federal Global Fashion Value Chain of Africa, also known as the Global Fashion Value Chain Federation of Africa, is a registered not-for-profit organization (240-048 NPO) in South Africa, established under the Non-profit Organization Act of 1997. This politically independent continental organization oversees and coordinates the development of the fashion value chain across Africa, enhancing AUDA-NEPAD's efforts, the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and SDGs.
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Guided by the GFVC Africa Assembly, our main objectives are to:
1. Decolonize, protect, and build a competitive economy that drives sustainable change in the fashion value chain.
2. Increase Africa's global manufacturing output beyond 1.9% while promoting inclusive social, environmental, and economic growth.
3. Serve as a united voice for all African stakeholders, ensuring their interests are represented on the global stage.
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Membership of the Assembly:
Membership is exclusively reserved for GFVC AFRICA's Regional Economic Clusters (RECs), which comprise multi-stakeholder partners from individual Pan African States, as well as international donors.
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Assembly Composition
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Chairperson: AU's Development Agency Representative
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Vice-Chair: Private Sector Representative
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Treasurer: Financial Institution or Development Partner Representative
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Non-Elected Permanent Members:
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Technical Committee Chairs (Academia, Research, Industry Experts, etc.)
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Secretariat/REC Commission:
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President
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Senior Vice-President
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Finance Vice-President
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Policy and Advocacy Vice-President
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Industrial Development Vice-President
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Social Justice Vice-President
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Economic Justice Vice-President
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Environmental Justice Vice-President
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Regional Commissioners and their Youth Deputies
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Council:
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Regional Government Ministries and Agencies Representatives
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Traditional Leaders
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Development Partners and Donor Agencies
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knowledge Partners (Academia, Research, Industry Expertsāā
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Private Sector
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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 development of the fashion value chain. It is determined to address the continent's structural inequality challenge and provide a global political voice that enables and gives voice to youth and women, regardless of their socio-economic strata, rural-urban divides, race, gender, ability, and age groups. 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 industry and people advancement to maximize industry 4.0 and circular economy benefits for all.
GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The GFVC AFRICA Assembly is the supreme decision-making body, while the Commission of GFVC Africa is responsible for implementing decisions and policies. Both play essential roles in the governance of the organization.
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The Role of the Commission:
The Commission actively promotes the interests of GFVC Africa and initiates necessary actions. It functions under the authority of the 54 member countries of the GFVC Africa Assembly, carrying out coordinating, executive, and management functions. These functions include:
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Executing the budget
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Managing programs
Governance Framework:
The organization's governance and management is outlined in the Act of GFVC Africa. The Constitutive Act is the primary reference and source of authority, detailing:
- Objectives
- Organs and bodies
- Leadership responsibilities
Constitutional Supremacy:
The Constitutive Act is the supreme authority and is binding. No individual may repeal or alter its provisions, nor prevent its application, under the penalties specified in the Act.
GFVC AFRICA INSTITUTIONS
Institutional Framework:
The GFVC Africa shall have an institutional framework that aims to:
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Promote its values and advance its objectives
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Serve the interests of its members, communities, regions, states, and municipalities
Ensure consistency, effectiveness, and continuity of its policies and actions
Our Institutions:
The following institutions shall constitute the GFVC Africa:
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GFVC Africa Assembly: The supreme decision-making body, comprising representatives of member states.
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GFVC Africa Commission (Secretariat): Executes decisions and policies, advocates for GFVC Africa's interests, and initiates necessary actions.
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Regional Commission Member and Council: Provides regional representation and guidance.
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Country Coordinators/National Offices and their Council: Coordinates national activities and provides country-specific guidance.
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Municipal Offices and their Council: Coordinates municipal activities and provides local guidance.
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International Policy and Advocacy Agencies: Provides international policy guidance and advocacy support.
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The High-Road Growth Finance Institution of the GFVC AFRICA: Provides financial support and guidance for high-growth initiatives.
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SMART GFVC AFRICA: The Commision'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: Provides independent audit and assurance services.
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Relationship Between Institutions
Each institution shall act within the limits of the powers conferred on it in the Constitution and in conformity with its procedures and conditions. The institutions shall practice mutual, sincere cooperation.
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Commission Service Departments
The commissioners will decide the terms of reference for the Commission's service departments. The departments shall interact with any functional department regarding issues within their jurisdiction.
GFVC AFRICA BENEFICIARIES
GFVC Africa's independence and focus on serving the broader industry interests in Africa will have a profoundly positive impact on various stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on empowering previously disadvantaged groups, including women, rural, mining, and township communities, as well as youth of all races. The beneficiaries of GFVC Africa's initiatives and incentives include:
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African Governments
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Youth and Women Entrepreneurs.
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Rural, Peri-Urban, and Mining Communities:
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Member Regions, States, and Municipalities:
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Artisans and Creative Industries:
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Multinational Corporations:
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Local Businesses
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Startups
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Industry Associations
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Chambers of Commerce
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Academic Institutions
GFVC AFRICA EMBLEM
The flag of GFVC AFRICA is designed with two overlapping circles in grey, silver, emerald, and white, set against a shadow grey and white background.
At the core of the design is a circle of stars, which represents the ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony, as well as the diverse qualities of the African continent in relation to fashion value chain development. Central to this circle is the wheel of the 4th Industrial Revolution, symbolizing our commitment to maximizing manufacturing advancements and benefits for all communities, thereby promoting shared growth.
Additionally, a globe featuring a borderless connected of Africa is positioned at the center, representing the last frontier in the global economy. Our emphasis is on integrating the Pan-African smart global fashion value chain into this globe to collaborative research, knowledge transfer, and trade.
The intersection of the two circles creates an infinity symbol, signifying the Earth's connection to all that is sacred and our dedication to initiating a new era of prosperity for Africa as a whole.
Displayed below or to the right of the symbol is the full name of the organization, with the GFVC letters highlighted in white, grey, or emerald.
- Concept and design by the founder of the organization.