By mid-2026, Kenya has increasingly cemented its position as a central sourcing hub for the textile and garment industry across the African continent. Recent data highlights a consistent surge in production volume, with the sector recording an impressive 11.1% year-on-year growth in garment exports through the first quarter of 2026. Yet, behind these growth figures lies a complex narrative: Kenya’s manufacturing industry is currently balancing the ambitious drive for export volume against the sobering realities of global market profitability.
The Nigerian government is preparing to launch a new strategic policy framework for its cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) sector, scheduled for release between June and July. This bold move is being taken as a national emergency effort to revive a local industry that had fallen into a state of near-total dormancy. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, emphasized that this framework would serve as a comprehensive guideline specifically designed to attract a fresh wave of investment from both domestic financiers and foreign giants looking to establish a business foothold in West Africa.
While Morocco’s broader manufacturing landscape began to signal a hopeful recovery in early 2026, the textile and leather industry has struck a sharply discordant note. According to the latest monthly survey from Bank Al-Maghrib (the central bank) released in March 2026, this strategic sector recorded the weakest performance among all manufacturing streams. Global economic uncertainty and a cooling in demand appear to have struck the heart of an industry that remains a critical export pillar for the Kingdom.
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