After the Rana Plaza factory collapse, life-saving reforms were introduced to hold international brands legally accountable for the safety of their workers. But violations still persist.

The EU exported nearly 1.7 million tons of used textiles in 2019 but experts say their fate abroad is "highly uncertain."

"The most sustainable garment is one you keep for the rest of your life." Livia Firth, co-founder and creative director of Eco-Age, says the fashion industry has been turned upside down by the #fastfashion business, but that consumers and designers can reverse the trend. "The world has been addicted to consuming, like we've been addicted to sugar. We now have to wean ourselves [off that trend] and understand that it's not necessary to constantly change our wardrobe. In the long term you actually save a lot of money," she tells FRANCE 24.

Just ahead of the 4th edition of the main event of Rwanda Fashion Week, hosted by a group of Rwandan fashion houses, dubbed, 'Collective Rwanda', we'll be taking a look at the state of the fashion industry in the country and in the continent. Pierra Ntayobmya of Haute Baso and Adebayo Oke-Lawal of Orange Couture join CNBC Africa for more.