Minister of Art: Nigeria Loses $3 Billion Annually to Imported Ankara Fabrics

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has disclosed that Nigeria loses around $3 billion annually to foreign manufacturers of ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa. Musawa made this remark during her address at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024, which took place in Algiers last week.

In a statement from her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze, Musawa emphasized the importance of empowering Africa’s fashion and textile industry, stating that fabrics like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara symbolize 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.”

The minister underscored the need to enhance local production capabilities in order to reclaim Africa’s fashion narrative.

“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 said.

Musawa highlighted that Africa’s fashion industry is expected to reach $15.5 billion by 2025, urging the need for actions to tackle structural challenges that impede local production. She emphasized the economic potential of the fashion industry, stating:

“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.”

She further stressed that investments in fashion could 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,” Musawa added.

The minister also detailed the government’s efforts to boost the industry through initiatives like the establishment of manufacturing hubs and craftsmanship training programs under the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative.

According to Musawa, these initiatives are designed to position Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative economy at the forefront of global recognition.