Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail 293 African fashion has boomed in recent years, fuelled by the rise of Afrocentrism and changing perceptions of the continent. Today fashion designers are leveraging its rich cultures, history, and fabrics to create a name for themselves. The apparel and footwear industry is also seeing growth and is estimated to be worth US$31bn in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the research group Euromonitor. Ethiopia’s low-cost textile industry has recently attracted interest from foreign retailers – the industry has experienced growth of 51% over the past six years. H&M and Tesco are already sourcing garments from the market, while PVH Corp (which owns the Calvin Klein brand) has recently set up a factory in Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial Park, a mega facility located 275km southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa. More Articles You Would Love Five Life Saving And Fashionable Outfits You Should Definitely Own #STYLEGIRL: Here Are 10 Best Untouchable Red Carpet Moments By Ghanaian Actress Zynnelle Zuh Mauritius is Africa’s leading manufacturer and seller of apparel abroad – accounting for $761.3m in apparel exports, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). And in Lesotho, apparel makes up 60% of total exports and 80% of its manufacturing workforce. But despite this, Africa’s clothing and fashion industry is still in its infancy. For example, the 10 largest textile exporters make up only 0.5% of worldwide textile production, reveals the AfDB. And although the continent produces 10% of the world’s cotton, much of this is exported to Asian markets, where it is spun into yarn and then woven into fabric. Not enough value is added on the continent. Furthermore, while the AfDB estimates Africa’s fashion industry could be worth $15.5bn over the next five years, this is only a small share of the industry’s global value of $1.3tn. High operational and logistical costs, alongside little government support, are some of the major limitations facing the industry. As a result, 90% of African fashion businesses are SMEs that lack the funds, skills, and support to grow beyond the small stage and to scale operations. In an effort to address this, the AfDB is launching its Fashionomics B2B platform – which looks to build up African fashion in the global value chain. The platform will be made public in the first quarter of 2017 and aims to strengthen each link of the value chain – from cotton farmers to fashion designers. Read Full Article Here Ghana Economics & Politics african fashioneconomicsfashion Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail Afua Akoto More For You #OOTD: Shams Berry Merges Elegance & Sultriness in Magbrien’s Striking Bustier Ensemble VIDEO: Watch The Moment Two Young Chinese Boys Were Over Excited To See... Muyishime Unleashes The ‘Conlang Collection’: A Bold Step Towards Inclusive Fashion #OOTD: Crochet Like You’ve Never Seen; Witness The Stunning Crochet/Kente Print Look By... #BIKINIBAE: Cute Grenadian Beauty Reysher Is Serving Stunning Swimwear With Unparalleled Grace &... VIDEO: Rihanna Promises Ayra Starr A Verse After Rick Ross Failed To Create... PICS: Top Influencer Krisline Stars in Fabulous ‘SISTERHOOD’ Images Featuring Sierra Leone Influencer... VIDEO: Watch Rihanna Take A Shot At Learning Congolese Language Lingala Hemadé Unveils ‘SWEET FAMILY’ Collection: A Nostalgic Blend Of Modernity And Vintage Elegance VIDEO: “Indians Used To Burn Their Hair Until They Realized Stupid African Women... Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.