VIDEO: Rwanda Fearlessly Banned 2nd Hand Clothes & Benefitted, Whilst USA Threatened Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania Not To

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In a bold and unapologetic move to protect its local textile industry, Rwanda took a fearless stand against the flood of second-hand clothing imports, becoming the only East African nation to fully implement a ban despite international pressure. While neighbouring countries—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—initially vowed to follow suit, their stance quickly softened under threats from the United States.

2nd Hand clothing has been a parasite to African people. It is not only a way for the west to get rid of its unused clothes, but also a way to sabotage the beautiful thriving African creativity and culture. It also destabilizes our economy from the textile side as well as pollute our lands.

Understanding this, Paul Kagame initiated a ban, which officially took effect in 2018, was part of the East African Community’s (EAC) wider plan to phase out second-hand clothes by 2019, a move aimed at revitalizing local manufacturing, creating jobs, and reclaiming cultural pride in African fashion. The garments, often dumped from Western countries, were seen as stifling local production and undermining the continent’s fashion ecosystem.

But when push came to shove, only Rwanda stood its ground. The United States, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), warned that enforcing the ban could result in losing access to key trade benefits. Faced with the threat of being removed from AGOA—an agreement that provides duty-free access to U.S. markets—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania backed down, choosing economic security over industrial independence.

Rwanda, on the other hand, refused to be bullied. The government remained firm, prioritizing the long-term health of its fashion industry over short-term economic incentives. As a result, the U.S. suspended Rwanda’s access to certain AGOA benefits—but the nation doubled down on its commitment to local production, setting an example for African resilience and self-determination.

Donald Trump’s administration suspended duty-free status for Rwandan apparel products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) following a decision by Kigali to raise tariffs on second-hand clothes to protect the local industry.

However, the local apparel export defied the odds between 2018 and 2020, growing at 83 per cent in value.

Statistics from the Ministry of Trade and Industry indicate that Rwanda exported $5.9 million (about Rwf5.8 billion) worth of textile and garment products to the international market in 2018.

By 2020, that value had increased to $34.6 million (about Rwf34.2 billion), pointing to increased volume of garment products to markets such as DR Congo, Belgium, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Basically, Rwanda’s textile and garment sector has recorded unprecedented growth since 2018 when the US government suspended Rwanda from the list of countries whose apparel exports enter the American market duty-free.

Today, Rwanda’s bold action is being seen as a case study in economic sovereignty—one where a small nation challenged global systems in defence of its identity and future. Let’s see if president Mahama will be brave enough to do the same.

BREAKING: Rwanda Ignores America’s Threats & Continues Ban On 2nd Hand Clothing; As Accra Fashion Week Calls For 2nd Hand Boycott

2nd Hand Clothing Supported By European Organizations Is Devastating Our Waters Like Galamsey As Well As Our Culture & Jobs

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