Ethiopia is aiming to generate $30 billion from export of garment and textile by the year 2025. This is an ambitious target for a country whose shipments are only $115million now. This is the first time Ethiopia, spelled out its vision in such detail. However, it is not the first time for the government to look to the textile and clothing supply chain as one of the country’s key targets for growth.
According to Arekbe Oqubay, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, the plan will transform Ethiopia to a compelling new sourcing hub for brands, retailers and their suppliers. Oqubay further explains by 2025 the company wishes to make Ethiopia the leading apparel and textile manufacturing hub in Africa capable of exporting up to $30 bn. It is a challenge, and they believe if Vietnam can do it, if Bangladesh can do it, Ethiopia can do it even better.
Oqubay until 2010 the prime focus was on agriculture, an even in the last 5 years it has been in transition. Also, the company is looking for manufacturing then apparel and textiles is top priority because it’s the largest employing industry, and also the international market is significant: every household requires apparel and textile products.
The target set is 300 fold rise in shipments within eight years. Back in 2015, the country’s annual export for clothing was $73.25 million. This shows what the Horn of Africa nation is up against.
