JEANS AND DENIM IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Africa cotton today accounts for around 8% of the world production.

African cotton is almost exclusively grown by smallholder farmers, using sustainable growing methods with harmony between agriculture, the natural environment and human beings.

About 8% of the cotton traded in the world market is harvested in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Africa cotton is almost exclusively grown by smallholder farmers, and there are only very few large plantations.

The cotton plant loves warmth – it needs about 200 days of sunshine in the season to flourish and bear fruit. For that reason alone, it does well in the dry or humid savannas of Africa. The climate, with its high average temperatures and alternation between dry and wet seasons favours the growing of this natural fibre crop. See below chart:

 

The climate of Africa is well suited for the production of cotton, therefore denim mills can be established also. Africa as a whole today has only around 15 denim mills. See  below of world production:

Region No. of Denim Mills 

 Asia (China) 297 

 Asia (other countries) 104

 North America 9 

 Europe 41 

 Latin America 46 

 Africa 15 

 Australia 1 

 Total Denim Mills (World-wide) 513

    

The countries mentioned in the map above do have all together a population of around 100 million people, not to mention neighbouring countries that can be also a source of labor. For example, a country like Mozambique has a per capita income of around 600 USD per year. A country like Zwimbawe has a per capita income of around 500 USD per year. Obviously the opportunity is there awaiting for international producers to start making jeans in those countries in big scale. For example, a company named Archer Clothing is a well established name for many decades.

Archer Clothing is one of the largest garment manufacturers in Zwimbawe. The company was established in 1953 & has steadily built a reputation based on commitment to quality, dependability & professionalism.
They have gained a wealth of experience & styling through our dealings with various international retailers and brand houses who include Eddie Bauer, Gap, Nicole Miller, Dayton Hudson Corporation, Haggar, Woolworths, Edgars, Pringle and Sanetta just to mention a few.
They also have a retail outlet from which we sell our export overruns to the general public at unbelievable prices. This is an example that garments in Africa can be a succesful business.



As Asian countries will slowly increasing its production costs, Sub-Saharan Africa will probably be the next "China" in future to come in terms of production of textiles. It may take still few decades but it seems that the conditions are there in terms of climate and labor. Infrastructure needs imnprovement but at the same time these countries do have access to ocean ports.
It will also be required an exodus of expats in order to teach the "know how" of jeans production.
Jeans apparel business can also be an important net contributor for the economy of those countries and can increase the standard of living of those countries. 

South Africa is an example of jeans production capabilities. The country has been producing jeans for decades for local and export markets. Companies like Levis has recently produced in the country. Production costs and rough competition from Asian has been pushing local companies to shut down or move operations to neighbouring countries.