Africa Made It, a continental movement focused on industrial sovereignty, has launched its “Power, Protect and Purchase” campaign at the CANEX weekend in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 5, 2026. The initiative aims to transform Africa’s cotton industry by shifting from raw cotton exports towards local spinning, weaving and garment production.
The campaign seeks to unlock USD 34 billion in annual GDP contribution by strengthening the continent’s fibre-to-fashion value chain. It is driven by a consortium of pan-African organisations, advocacy groups and media organisations working to position Africa as a global investment hub.
Three pillars for industrial development
The campaign outlines three priorities to support the growth of Africa’s domestic textile and garment industry:
- Power: Secure competitive energy supplies for local industrial mills.
- Protect: Introduce policy measures to protect emerging domestic manufacturers from unfair foreign imports.
- Purchase: Encourage African consumers to buy apparel manufactured locally.
Together, these measures aim to retain more of the value generated from African raw materials within the continent.
Local processing could create nearly two million jobs
Research by Africa Practice highlights the gap between Africa’s cotton production and its share of the finished product market. The continent exports up to 98% of its raw cotton overseas and captures only 2% of its total value. It also faces an annual trade deficit of USD 35 billion.
Expanding domestic capacity in spinning, weaving and sewing could help address this imbalance. According to the research, processing locally produced cotton could sustain nearly two million permanent industrial jobs and inject approximately USD 33 billion into domestic household incomes every year. The value chain could also contribute USD 34 billion annually to the continent’s GDP.
Rural communities and women stand to benefit
The campaign also highlights the potential impact of local manufacturing on communities. Industrial wages and purchases of locally produced cotton lint could increase capital circulation in rural areas, support local economic activity and contribute to poverty reduction.
Women currently account for between 70% and 90% of garment factory workers across the continent. Expanding formal employment in the garment sector could therefore create further opportunities for women.
USD 1.8 billion allocation needed
Realising the campaign’s objectives will require targeted investment, supportive trade policies and stronger consumer participation.
Africa Made It identifies a capital allocation of USD 1.8 billion for critical structural enablers as a foundation for addressing the missing middle in Africa’s fibre-to-fashion value chain. Strengthening these areas is intended to connect raw cotton production with local processing and finished garment manufacturing.
Campaign calls for greater local value creation
Marie Wilke, editor-in-chief of Africa Made It magazine, said, “African culture, design, and storytelling influence global fashion, music, and media like never before. Yet, without domestic manufacturing infrastructure, Africa’s creative authority yields very little economic return. Linking raw cotton harvest directly to local processing ensures that the intellectual property, commercial margins, and industrial jobs remain on the continent. It is time to wear our power.”
The campaign is intended to bring together investment, policy action and consumer demand to strengthen Africa’s domestic textile and apparel production capabilities.
To learn more, watch the campaign video or read the Africa Made It magazine and campaign resources. Resources are also available in French.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Made It.