The reopening of Zambia’s Mulungushi Textiles is being welcomed by industry stakeholders as a major step toward strengthening domestic manufacturing, creating value from locally produced cotton, and boosting regional trade competitiveness.
Industrialisation to Unlock Greater Export Value
Trade expert Gilbert Nkamba said the revival of Mulungushi Textiles represents an important milestone in Zambia’s industrialisation journey by reducing the country’s dependence on raw material exports.According to Nkamba, Zambia has historically exported cotton in its raw form, limiting the economic returns generated by one of its key agricultural commodities. By processing cotton domestically into textile products, the country can significantly increase value addition while supporting local manufacturing.
He stressed that industrialisation will be critical if Zambia is to fully capitalize on trade opportunities offered by regional economic blocs such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Exporting finished textile products instead of raw cotton, he said, will enable the country to achieve greater economic benefits and improve its competitive position in regional markets.
Nkamba also highlighted the strategic location of Mulungushi Textiles along the Lusaka–Ndola dual carriageway, placing the factory within one of Southern Africa’s key transport and trade corridors.
Read more: Kabwe Textile Revival: Zambia-China Mulungushi Joint Venture on Track
Local Textile Industry Welcomes Factory Reopening
The reopening has received strong support from Zambia’s fashion and garment sector. Local designers and tailors believe renewed domestic textile production will help lower fabric costs while improving the availability and consistency of supplies.Tailors Phyllis Miyambo and Jonathan Musonda noted that Zambia currently relies heavily on imported fabrics, which often face supply disruptions and fluctuating prices.
Fashion designer Shadrek Handsen also welcomed the reopening of the factory, praising President Hakainde Hichilema’s efforts to revive the textile sector. Industry participants believe restoring local textile manufacturing could stimulate employment, strengthen the apparel value chain, and reduce reliance on imported materials.
The revival of Mulungushi Textiles aligns with Zambia’s broader ambitions to expand industrial capacity, promote value-added manufacturing, and position itself as a more competitive player in the regional textile and apparel market.
