Africa’s growing importance in global textile, apparel, leather and fashion sourcing is creating a new wave of industrial investment opportunities, with Kenya increasingly positioned as one of the continent’s most strategic manufacturing gateways.
Insights shared at the start of the fifth Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week Nairobi (ASFW Nairobi) conference running from April 30 to May 2 indicate that Kenya is benefiting from a broader global supply chain realignment, as brands and retailers seek to diversify sourcing bases, improve resilience and expand production closer to high-growth consumer markets.
That growing momentum is expected to be reflected at ASFW Nairobi itself, which is organized in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI) and will feature over 150 manufacturers and designers from more than 20 countries in a three-day showcase of the best of the textile, leather, fashion and home décor industries. The event has been acclaimed as an invaluable platform for networking, innovation and sustainable development, with participants including East African government officials, delegations from the European Union and representatives of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The unique WALK FOR BUSINESS initiative will connect more than 30 high-end designers from Africa with international fashion brands and other buyers.
During the opening sequence, it was highlighted that Kenya’s textile and apparel sector is drawing particular interest due to its trade access, industrial policy framework and established export base. The country was cited as one of Africa’s leading apparel exporters under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and continues to leverage multiple international and regional trade agreements to attract manufacturers.
Despite this progress, Kenya currently imports an estimated KES129 billion in textiles each year, highlighting a significant opportunity for domestic production and value addition. Industry projections by MITI suggest that KES58 billion to KES97 billion in new textile mill investment could be required by 2030 to substitute imports and supply expanding apparel factories.
Demand fundamentals are also strengthening with Kenya’s apparel export potential is estimated at KES58 billion to KES 75 billion in the near term, supported by rising orders from international brands seeking alternative sourcing destinations. At the same time, the domestic apparel market is forecast to reach around KES 32 billion, driven by rising incomes, urban retail expansion and growing demand for locally produced garments.
Longer term, the country’s textile and apparel exports have the potential to grow fourfold to KES258 billion by 2035, supported by new industrial parks, Export Processing Zone expansion and continued investment in modern manufacturing capacity.
Noting the sector outlook, Elsama Ndegwa, Administration Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investments, Trade & Industry, said: “Kenya is entering a new phase of industrial growth where textile and apparel manufacturing can become a major pillar of exports, jobs and value addition. The opportunity now is to scale local textile production and capture a larger share of global sourcing demand.”
Skander Negasi, CEO Trade and Fairs Consulting GmbH, said Africa’s manufacturing proposition is gaining momentum internationally. “Global buyers are looking for reliable, diversified and future-ready sourcing destinations. Kenya and Africa more broadly are increasingly part of that conversation because of their competitiveness, workforce potential and long-term growth prospects.”
Analysts say Kenya’s ability to deepen local textile production will be critical to unlocking higher margins and stronger competitiveness, particularly as brands place greater emphasis on shorter lead times and sustainable sourcing.
With rising global demand and a large underdeveloped supply base, Kenya is increasingly seen as one of Africa’s strongest contenders to become a regional textile and apparel powerhouse.
