– Africa’s fashion industry has the potential to increase the continent’s prosperity by 25 percent, but the burgeoning sector must overcome hurdles including a lack of, Audrey Azoulay, director general of the United Nations’ cultural agency, said the continent holds all the cards to become one of“Fashion is really taking off in Africa, and this report shows that it can be developed even further.
Africa is expected to be home to 1.7 billion people by 2030, the report underlined. Thanks to a growing young population and rapid digitalization, UNESCO forecasts a 42 percent increase in demand for African designer fashion over the next 10 years. “By exporting most of its raw fibers, the continent sees a consistent significant loss in the potential economic value of these crops and restricts the growth of the textile and fashion value chain in Africa,” it said.
Noting that Africa is the destination of a third of all global exports of second-hand garments, he said this not only resulted in an environmental “disaster” but also prevented local clothing makers from selling their wares, since these second-hand imports are often cheaper. Finally, he highlighted the issue of appropriation.
The official noted that UNESCO can provide additional protection by highlighting cultural heritage practices. For instance, Egypt’s Sa’eed weaving technique was added to the organization’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2020.