Textile

The textiles and apparels sector is the most capital intensive sector in terms of investment. This sector has the ability to create a large number of employment opportunities within a short duration of time. This explains why the current government at the national and county is giving a special focus to the sector. The development of the sector’s farm–fashion value chain presents the country with immense opportunities in cotton farming, textile mills and apparel/fashion industry.

The sector is considered as a creator of mass employment along the value chain with low to high skill sets. A fully developed value chain has the capacity to employ about 10% of the country’s population. Additionally, cotton farming and apparels manufacturing are very labour intensive; thus being a source of much-needed employment opportunities. The value chain is also an important driver of inclusivity as it employs women in excess of 60%.

The textiles and apparels sector is currently a critical foreign exchange earner and in Kenya as at now is the largest exporter of apparel under AGOA and more investment are still expected given the improvement of the economy.

With the changes in the global apparels sourcing supply chain in the world, Kenya has been able to attract a substantial number of world buyers and these figures can grow when we enhance our competitiveness and diversify our markets. The sector provides an opportunity for the enhancement of investment within the country and region through forwarding and backward linkages with other economic sectors.