Nigeria loses $3 billion each year to foreign manufacturers of ankara fabrics, according to Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
Speaking at the 2024 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) in Algiers, Musawa called attention to the urgent need to revitalise Africa’s textile industry and reduce dependency on imported fabrics.
The Minister stressed the importance of supporting the production of indigenous fabrics like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara, which she described as symbols of Africa’s cultural identity.
“It is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa,” she remarked.
“Nearly 90 percent of the ankara consumed on our continent is imported, leading to an annual loss of approximately $3 billion to foreign manufacturers,” she said.
The minister urged investment in local manufacturing to create jobs and keep profits within Africa.
“We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring the benefits of this vibrant industry stay within our borders,” she said.
With the African fashion industry projected to reach $15.5 billion by 2025, Musawa outlined plans to establish textile hubs and training programmes through the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiatives to boost regional production and craftsmanship.