Nigeria loses $3bn annually on Ankara fabric importation – Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has revealed that the country incurs an annual loss of $3 billion due to importing Ankara fabrics.

This popular wax print fabric is widely consumed in West and Central Africa, but surprisingly, nearly 90% of it is manufactured outside the continent.

Musawa made this disclosure during the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024 in Algiers.

She emphasised the importance of strengthening Africa’s fashion and textile industry, noting that the global fashion industry is valued at approximately $2.5 trillion.

In Nigeria alone, the fashion industry contributes around $6.1 billion to the GDP, while South Africa’s textile sector employs over 140,000 people, demonstrating the sector’s capacity for job creation.

Musawa stressed that investments in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

“We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring that the benefits of this vibrant industry remain within our borders.

“Fashion is far more than a form of expression; it is an economic powerhouse,” Musawa said.

To address this issue, the ministry is developing manufacturing hubs and training programs in craftsmanship as part of the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative. This initiative aims to elevate Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative economy to a leading position.

Musawa noted that Africa’s fashion industry is projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, highlighting the need to address structural challenges hindering local production.

By expanding local production, Africa can position itself as a global hub for fashion, creating millions of jobs and driving economic growth.

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