Rwanda has unveiled bold plans to dramatically scale up its domestic garment industry, with the goal of producing enough clothing to supply 100% of the nation’s population by 2029. Currently, local garment factories account for only 5% of clothing consumed in the country, but the government is committed to changing that under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) for 2024/2025 to 2028/2029.
Government Commitment
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, speaking before Members of Parliament on March 28, emphasized the importance of investing in local textile manufacturing to promote sustainable economic growth. “We aim to clothe 100% of Rwandans with locally-made garments,” Ngirente said, highlighting government initiatives to support factories and make locally produced clothing more affordable and accessible.
One of the key measures is the prioritization of local production for public school uniforms and other institutional garments. Ngirente noted that this strategy could save Rwanda between Rwf17 billion and Rwf20 billion currently spent on imports.
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Challenges Ahead
However, lawmakers voiced concerns over persistent challenges. MP Balinda Rutebuka pointed to high production costs driven by expensive raw materials, which make local clothing less competitive. MP Christine Mukabunani questioned the country’s ability to produce enough cotton and silk to sustain large-scale textile production.
In response, Ngirente acknowledged the current reliance on imported fabrics but affirmed that the government is working to scale up local fabric production. A new initiative will soon be launched to boost raw material supply and support both existing and new manufacturers entering the sector.
Reducing Costs and Prices
To lower garment prices, the government plans to utilize bulk orders—such as 200,000 school uniforms—to drive down production costs through economies of scale. Ngirente added, “We banned second-hand clothes to ensure Rwandans don’t wear outdated garments. We must now provide them with affordable, high-quality alternatives.”
The textile sector is also expected to contribute to Rwanda’s goal of creating 250,000 jobs annually. The value of Rwanda’s textile and leather output has grown from Rwf34 billion in 2017 to an estimated Rwf154 billion in 2024, reflecting its rising economic potential through import substitution, job creation, and export growth.
