The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) is urging more local production and finance amid a textiles trade gap and low cotton processing, as it pursues a $500 billion industry ambition.
At CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, CAFA Mission Coordinator Reginald Ekeanyanwu called for upgrades to production infrastructure, broader access to manufacturing and finance, and stronger regional market connections, Premium Times reported Nov. 15. The event ran Nov. 5–8, according to its official website.
CAFA’s website describes the $500 billion figure as a vision for African fashion and lists policy coordination, market access, capacity-building and investment links among its priorities. The event’s official website describes its Deal Room as a place for creative-industry entrepreneurs to present projects to investors and financiers.
UNESCO’s 2023 report records annual African exports of textiles, clothing and footwear at $15.5 billion, compared with $23.1 billion in imports, leaving a $7.6 billion deficit. The report estimates local facilities process just 2% to 3% of cotton grown in Africa. It also cites high machinery costs and the need for reliable electricity at affordable rates as obstacles to textile production. UNESCO says the sector’s available data are fragmented and sparse, while textile and garment production can create jobs.
Imported second-hand clothing adds competition for African garment makers, UNESCO says, while trade in used clothes also supports jobs and livelihoods. The report notes that several East African countries announced plans in 2016 to phase out those imports by 2019; Rwanda was the only one to implement the move.
Published estimates of the sector’s current value vary. Voice of Nigeria cited $30 billion in a Nov. 2 report, while CAFA President Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode described it as a $60 billion economy in an Africa24 TV interview. Premium Times reported a 2036 target for the $500 billion goal. CAFA’s website gives neither a starting valuation nor a deadline.
CAFA lists the inaugural African Global Fashion Games in Nigeria for 2028.
