Nigeria loses $3bn annually to imported ankara fabrics — Minister

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has revealed that Nigeria loses approximately $3 billion each year to foreign manufacturers of ankara, a widely popular wax print in West and Central Africa. Musawa made this statement while speaking at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024, held in Algiers last week.

In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze, Musawa highlighted the need to empower Africa’s fashion and textile industry, noting that fabrics such as adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara represent Africa’s heritage, pride, and identity.

“Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa,” Musawa stated. “Nearly 90 percent 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.”

The minister emphasized the importance of strengthening local production capacities to reclaim Africa’s fashion narrative. “We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring that the benefits of this vibrant industry remain within our borders,” she said.

Musawa noted that Africa’s fashion industry is projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, calling for actions to address structural challenges that hinder local production. She underscored the economic potential of the fashion industry, stating, “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.”

She further emphasized that investments in fashion could generate millions of jobs, especially 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,” Musawa added.

The minister also outlined the government’s efforts to enhance the industry through initiatives such as the establishment of manufacturing hubs and craftsmanship training programs under the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative. According to Musawa, these efforts aim to position Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative economy at the forefront of global recognition.