Nigeria loses $3bn annually to foreign Ankara fabrics manufacturers – Minister

Barrister Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has claimed that Nigeria is losing $3 billion annually to foreign manufacturers of Ankara fabrics.

The Minister made this known in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze.

She spoke at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024 in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria last week.

Ankara fabrics also known as African wax prints originated in Indonesia but are now a staple in West and Central Africa.

Stressing the need to empower Africa’s fashion and textile ecosystem, Musawa said African fabrics such as adire, kente, bologan, and Ankara embody the continent’s pride, history and identity.

“Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as Ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa.

“Nearly 90 per cent of the Ankara consumed on our continent is imported, leading to an annual loss of approximately $3 billion to foreign manufacturers. We must change this.

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

Ankara, other African fabrics to grow fashion industry

According to her, Africa’s fashion industry is projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, calling for actions to address the structural challenges hindering local production.

“Fashion is far more than a form of expression. It is an economic powerhouse. The global fashion industry is valued at approximately $2.5 trillion. In Nigeria alone, the fashion industry contributes approximately $6.1 billion to GDP, while South Africa’s textile sector employs over 140,000 people, demonstrating the sector’s capacity for job creation.

“Investments in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth. By expanding local production, we will not only add value within our borders but also position Africa as a global hub for fashion,” she added.

Musawa revealed that her ministry is making efforts to establish manufacturing hubs and craftsmanship training programmes across Africa under the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative.

She added that the initiative is designed to position Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative economy at the forefront.