Fashion industry contributes $6.1b to Nigeria’s GDP — Minister

The fashion industry in Nigeria has been revealed to be a thriving market, making a significant contribution of $6.1 billion to the country’s GDP, as disclosed by the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa.

In a keynote address delivered on Thursday at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend Summit in Algiers, the minister cited iconic fabrics such as Adire, Kente, Bogolan, and Ankara as a core embodiment of the history and pride of the African people.

Musawa stressed the immense economic opportunity in Africa’s fashion industry, which is projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025.

She, however, noted that there is a need to address structural challenges hindering local production through collective action, including establishing cooperatives that foster collaboration.

“Nearly 90% 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.

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“Fashion is a very lucrative and thriving market. 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.

“Humongous 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.

“We are determined and assiduously working to protect and promote our fashion, garment, and textile industries by updating our intellectual property (IP) laws. These laws will protect our traditional techniques, textiles, and designs while simultaneously ensuring that we address the exploitation of our cultural treasures,” she said.