African policymakers, fashion designers, climate experts, and industry leaders have called for a stronger transition toward locally driven regenerative fashion systems, arguing that the continent’s long-standing traditions of resource efficiency and circular production can provide a competitive advantage as the global textile and apparel industry accelerates its sustainability efforts.
The discussions took place during the inaugural AfricaTextileTalks forum, where participants explored how Africa’s textile and fashion sectors can contribute to climate resilience, industrialization, and inclusive economic development while responding to growing international demand for sustainable manufacturing.
Traditional Practices Support Circular Fashion
Speakers emphasized that sustainable fashion is not a new concept for Africa but rather an extension of practices that have existed across the continent for generations. Repairing garments, repurposing textiles, and passing clothing and household items from one generation to another have long been embedded in many African communities.
As the global fashion industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, these traditional practices are now being recognized as valuable examples of circular economy principles.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and remains one of the world’s largest consumers of freshwater and raw materials.
Building Climate-Resilient Textile Industries
Presidential Climate Commissioner Thandile Zonke highlighted the importance of ensuring that climate transition policies support industrial growth while avoiding the economic disruptions experienced by parts of South Africa’s textile industry in previous decades.
She noted that although African countries contribute only an estimated 3% to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they continue to experience disproportionate impacts from climate change, including droughts, floods, and declining agricultural productivity.
Participants argued that improving production efficiency, expanding regenerative agriculture, and strengthening regional textile manufacturing could reduce environmental impacts while creating higher-value industrial opportunities.
Read more: U.S. Ends AGOA: African Textile Exports Face Heavy Tariff Burden
AfCFTA Creates New Manufacturing Opportunities
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was identified as a key driver for developing integrated regional textile value chains.
Industry leaders said African countries should process more of their cotton and other raw materials domestically rather than exporting unprocessed fibers.
Expanding local spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and garment manufacturing would increase industrial competitiveness, create employment, reduce transport-related emissions, and retain more economic value within the continent.
Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
South African fashion designer Wanda Lephoto argued that African fashion should define sustainability through its own cultural heritage rather than relying exclusively on international sustainability frameworks.
He said Africa has an opportunity to differentiate itself globally by combining traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design, and responsible manufacturing instead of competing through fast-fashion business models.
Growing global demand for transparent supply chains, ethical production, and lower-carbon manufacturing is creating new opportunities for African textile and apparel producers that can demonstrate sustainability, traceability, and quality.
Investment Needed for Industry Transformation
During the forum, Lagos Fashion Week founder and Earthshot Prize winner Omoyemi Akerele introduced the African Fashion Coalition’s Blueprint for a Regenerative Fashion Future, a framework designed to strengthen regional production, circular business models, cultural preservation, and sustainable manufacturing.
Participants stressed that access to finance remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to modernize equipment, improve sustainability performance, and expand production capacity.
They called for stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions, development organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to support investment in sustainable materials, local manufacturing, skills development, and innovation.
Read more: African Textiles Positioned as Strategic Alternative to Asian Sourcing in Europe
Regenerative Fashion Supports Industrial Growth
Industry leaders concluded that regenerative fashion represents more than an environmental strategy. By building integrated regional textile value chains and strengthening local manufacturing, African countries can create skilled employment, diversify exports, enhance climate resilience, and capture greater value from the continent’s abundant natural resources.
As sustainability requirements become increasingly important in international trade and sourcing decisions, participants agreed that Africa’s existing traditions of resource stewardship and circular production provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive and environmentally responsible textile industry.
