The global textile market is entering a new era. Worth an estimated USD 2.12 trillion in 2025, the market is projected to rise to USD 4.02 trillion by 2034, expanding at a steady CAGR of 7.35%. This doubling of market size signals one thing clearly: the world will need more fibers, fabrics, garments, and sustainable production capacity than ever before. But as global brands search for new manufacturing locations, diversify supply chains, and respond to sustainability pressures, one region is emerging as a strategic winner:
Africa: A continent with cotton, young workers, proximity to major markets, and rising investment interest, Africa is positioning itself to become a major global player in the textile and apparel value chain.
Why the Global Textile Boom Matters for Africa
- The World Is Re-engineering Supply Chains
Global manufacturing is shifting from traditional offshoring to nearshoring, bringing production closer to key markets such as Europe and the Middle East. This transition positions Africa favorably thanks to its shorter shipping times, lower production and labor costs, proximity to major markets including the EU, Middle East, and United States, and access to trade agreements like AGOA and various EPAs. As global demand rises and companies seek new manufacturing hubs beyond Asia, Africa stands out as a strategic alternative with the land, labor force, raw materials, and market access needed to support a modern, resilient textile supply chain.
- Africa Has What the World Needs: Cotton and Labour
Africa has what the global textile industry increasingly needs: abundant cotton and a large, young labor force. The continent produces about 10% of the world’s cotton, yet exports 90% of it in raw form to Asia, while simultaneously importing most of the yarn and fabric used in its own factories. This structural inefficiency highlights a massive investment opportunity in local spinning, weaving, dyeing, and fully integrated cotton-to-clothing value chains, including regional processing hubs and joint ventures with Asian, European, and Middle Eastern manufacturers. As Mohammed Kassem, Chairman of the Egyptian Exporters Association (ExpoLink) and Commissioner of Destination Africa, powerfully stated, “Ten years ago, Africa needed the world. Now the world needs Africa.”
- The global push for sustainable textiles aligns with Africa’s strengths
The global shift toward sustainable textiles is transforming the industry, with rising demand for eco-friendly production, low-carbon manufacturing, renewable energy, zero-liquid-discharge systems, and circular fashion solutions. These trends align strongly with Africa’s natural strengths and emerging capabilities. The continent can lead the transition by leveraging abundant solar energy for garment production, adopting closed-loop water systems, increasing the production of organic and sustainable cotton, and positioning its output under a powerful “Green Made in Africa” identity. As global brands face mounting pressure to clean up their supply chains, Africa offers the environmental advantages, renewable resources, and green manufacturing potential that the world increasingly needs.
Key Opportunities Across the African Textile Value Chain
- Manufacturing and Processing Capacity
Several African countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Benin, and Togo, are rapidly expanding their capacity in spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and garment production. However, many parts of the continent still lack mid-stream processing such as yarn production, fabric manufacturing, and finishing capabilities. Strengthening these areas represents a major opportunity, as investments in mid-stream processing would unlock billions in value addition, reduce reliance on Asian imports, and create large-scale industrial employment.
- Regional Supply Chain Integration
Africa currently retains only a small share of its own cotton value: just 7% of cotton yarn and 6% of cotton fabric traded on the continent stays within Africa. As a result, thousands of manufacturing jobs and significant export earnings are lost to overseas markets. Major opportunities lie in creating regional production hubs under AfCFTA, connecting West African cotton producers with East African garment manufacturers, reviving pan-African institutions like ACTIF, and improving logistics and payment systems. A more integrated supply chain could dramatically increase the continent’s competitiveness and multiply textile exports.
- Export Growth to Global Markets
Africa is well-positioned to grow its exports significantly, with ITC estimating potential sales of €5.8 billion in cotton garments by 2026, in addition to billions more in apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles. Key export destinations include the European Union, benefiting from short lead times and duty-free access, the United States through AGOA, and rapidly expanding retail markets in the Middle East. With rising global demand and a shift toward nearshoring, Africa’s geographic and trade advantages offer strong opportunities for export-led growth.
- Rising Continental Consumption
Although Africa currently has the lowest per-capita textile consumption in the world, demand is expected to rise sharply as incomes increase, urbanization accelerates, industrial employment grows, and local fashion brands expand. Importantly, investing in apparel manufacturing will help stimulate this domestic market by putting more income into households and building consumer demand from within. Over time, the continent can become both a major producer and a major consumer of textile and apparel products.
- Smart Textiles and Technical Fabrics
The global growth of smart clothing, performance fabrics, medical textiles, industrial materials, and automotive fibers creates a new frontier for African manufacturers. With targeted investments in technology, skills training, and innovation, African factories can enter these high-value, fast-growing segments early. This shift would diversify the continent’s textile industry beyond basic apparel, positioning Africa as a competitive player in advanced and technical textile manufacturing.
What Needs to Happen Next
Governments Must:
- Prioritise textile manufacturing as a strategic sector
- - Invest in industrial parks and logistics
- - Support renewable energy and environmental standards
- - Strengthen AfCFTA’s role in textiles
- - Facilitate cross-border value chain development
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Private Sector and Investors Should:
- - Explore joint ventures with Asian and Middle Eastern firms
- - Invest in spinning, weaving, and finishing
- - Establish regional sourcing offices
- - Build sustainable, solar-powered factories
- - Introduce modern manufacturing technologies
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Brands and Global Buyers Need to:
- - Support African suppliers financially and technically
- - Commit to long-term sourcing
- -Avoid unrealistic pricing that blocks sustainability investments
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Africa is rapidly emerging as the next frontier of textile growth, driven by a booming global market, shifting supply chains, and increasing sustainability demands. With abundant raw materials, a youthful workforce, strategic geographic positioning, and growing political momentum through initiatives like AfCFTA, the continent is well-placed to build a competitive and environmentally responsible textile industry. Industry leaders agree that early movers will define the sector’s future. Africa’s rise in textiles is no longer a distant possibility but an unfolding reality that requires immediate action to fully capture its potential.