Boosted by higher sales to the US and the Netherlands, Kenya’s earnings from textile and apparel accessories grew Sh8 billion in the nine months to September 2021. As per Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Keproba) stats, textile firm’s revenues rose 31.1 per cent to Sh33.7 billion in the review period compared to Sh25.7 billion a year earlier. The US and The Netherlands were Kenya‘s largest export markets during the period, says Wilfred Marube, CEO, Keproba.
FTA with the US, and African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) allows Kenya to export selected goods at preferential terms to the US, exempting them from paying tax. The initiative allows Kenya to export more than 6,000 product lines, which is mostly dominated by the export of textile and apparel. Locally, the revival of Rivatex also boosts Kenya’s textile sector by creating a demand for locally produced cotton and created thousands of jobs.
Likewise, the introduction of Bacillus Thuringiensis cotton, Kenya’s first genetically modified, insect-resistant cotton seeds, boosts cotton farming in the country. Keproba supports the sector by partnering with its key stakeholders including business membership organizations (BMOs) like Kenya Fashion Council to maintain high production standards and create value-added products that meet the global export market standards, adds Marube.
The agency recently developed a new strategy to increase uptake of locally designed and manufactured apparel, textiles, leather and accessories including through the ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ campaign.
