The minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has stated that Nigeria loses $3 billion yearly to foreign manufacturers of ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa.

She made this known in Algiers, last week, at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024.

The minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze, in a statement stated that Musawa highlighted the need to empower Africa’s fashion and textile ecosystem.

According to Musawa, fabrics such as adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara embody Africa’s pride, history, and identity.

She said: “Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa.

“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.”

She continued that Africa’s fashion industry is projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, and called for actions to address structural challenges hindering local production.

“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.

“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.”