Egypt’s ready-made garment and home textile industry has approximately $3.9 billion in untapped export opportunities, according to Mahmoud Ghazal, CEO of Nile Textile Industries and a member of the Textile Industries Chamber.
Commenting on discussions at the Industry and Investment session of Egypt Forum 2026, Ghazal called for a coordinated strategy combining production expansion, export financing, workforce development and technological upgrades.
He said investment should translate into measurable gains in manufacturing output, exports, local value addition and sustainable employment.
Exports Reach $3.8 Billion in 2025
According to figures cited by Ghazal, Egyptian ready-made garment and home textile exports increased from approximately $1.5 billion in 2016 to $3.8 billion in 2025.
The sector’s share of Egypt’s non-petroleum merchandise exports rose from 7.6% to 8.1% over the same period, while its share of the global market increased from 0.35% to 0.68%.
Ghazal said sector exports could reach approximately $6.3 billion by 2030 if the projected growth trajectory is maintained. Achieving this would require additional productive investment, improved factory efficiency and more companies capable of securing repeat international business.
Five Priorities for Export Growth
Ghazal identified five areas requiring coordinated action:
- Broaden the exporter base: Help entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises access market intelligence, training, international certifications and connections with global buyers.
- Strengthen financing: Improve export support programmes and access to pre-shipment and post-shipment finance so manufacturers can fulfil larger orders and meet delivery schedules.
- Expand manufacturing capacity: Increase local value addition across the Egyptian cotton supply chain, from spinning and weaving to finishing and finished products, while restarting underperforming factories.
- Upgrade skills and technology: Align vocational training with factory requirements, modernise machinery and improve productivity, quality and sustainability performance.
- Simplify procedures and widen market access: Reduce administrative delays, address investment barriers and make better use of trade agreements.
He also advocated extending the Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) system to additional governorates, subject to its governing regulations.
Greater Value Addition Across the Textile Chain
Ghazal emphasised that Egypt’s export ambitions depend on strengthening the full manufacturing chain rather than focusing solely on finished-product shipments.
Developing spinning, weaving and finishing capabilities could help retain more value locally and improve manufacturers’ ability to respond to international sourcing requirements. Access to working capital would also be necessary to keep factories operating consistently.
Read more: Egypt Apparel Chamber Launches Kenya Hub to Boost Garment Exports
Measurable Targets Through 2030
Ghazal proposed a sector roadmap with phased targets and regular monitoring. Performance indicators would cover export earnings, the number of exporting companies, new investment, productivity and employment.
He said the objective should extend beyond higher export revenue to building a more competitive industry with stronger links to global supply chains.
