Nigeria loses $3bn annually to imported ankara fabrics — Minister of Arts and Culture, Musawa
Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, disclosed that the country loses around $3 billion annually to foreign manufacturers of Ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa.
Speaking at the 2024 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) in Algiers, Musawa emphasized the importance of strengthening Africa’s fashion and textile industry. According to a statement by her Special Adviser, Nneka Anibeze, she noted that traditional fabrics like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara are symbols of 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.”
”We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring that the benefits of this vibrant industry remain within our borders
“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.”
“By expanding local production, we will not only add value within our borders but also position Africa as a global hub for fashion
