Uganda Seeks Boost To Cotton And Textiles

The Government of Uganda is targeting improvements in its cotton and textile sectors in a bid to attract foreign investment and create jobs.

The country’s National Planning Authority (NPA) is developing a new strategy for the sector as part of the third edition of the National Development Plan that is scheduled for publication in 2019.

According to Msingi East Africa, which is leading the project, the global apparel manufacturing market was worth $785.9 billion in 2018. Yet Uganda has been exporting large volumes of cotton in raw form, without value addition that would create jobs and additional revenues. A number of local textile firms have closed in recent years, from African Textile MILL to Rayon Textiles. 

Uganda currently under performs neighbours such as Ethiopia and Kenya when it comes to export earnings for the sector, averaging $56 million as compared with $436.5 million by Kenya and $221.5 million by Ethiopia.