In a groundbreaking collaboration, Alitheia IDF, the first dedicated gender lens investing Private Equity Fund in Africa, has made a substantial $5 million investment in IVILI Group, a South African woman-owned textile company. This partnership aims to rejuvenate South Africa’s struggling textile industry, fostering increased local manufacturing, job creation, and skills development.
IVILI Group comprises IVILI Loboya, a unique wool and cashmere processing facility situated at Ibika Industries in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, and IVILITEX, a garment manufacturing factory located in the heart of Cape Town’s clothing and textiles hub.
IVILI Loboya, co-founded by the esteemed South African social entrepreneur and gender activist, the late Dr. Vuyokazi Mahlati, is one of Africa’s exclusive wool and cashmere processing centers, based at Ibika Industries in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. IVILITEX, on the other hand, is a garment manufacturing facility strategically positioned within Cape Town’s clothing and textiles sector.
On September 21st, IVILITEX inaugurated its state-of-the-art garment manufacturing plant in Epping, Cape Town. The initial production focus is on jeanswear for the local retail market. This facility includes a cutting-edge jeans wash area, equipped with advanced technology imported from Spain, in collaboration with Jeanologia, a prominent innovator in textile industry technology. This cutting-edge technology allows for efficient garment production and washing while minimizing environmental impact.
IVILITEX’s mission is to bridge the gap between locally made and imported apparel in South Africa’s garment production industry. It addresses the growing demand among local retailers for large-scale, domestically manufactured garments. IVILITEX plays a pivotal role in the group’s growth strategy, signifying a significant step toward integrating the textile value chain in South Africa.
IVILI Group has set an ambitious goal to become the leading textiles group in Africa. It seeks to support local and continental textiles companies by establishing a center of excellence, serving both South Africa and the broader continent. The objective is to revitalize Africa’s textiles capabilities and elevate locally produced apparel for the local retail industry from its current 44% to an impressive 65% by 2030.
