BAHIR DAR — Ethiopia is ramping up its production of ready-made textiles and apparel using locally sourced materials, as disclosed by the Manufacturing Industry Development Institute. The announcement was made during the 12th International Research Conference on Cotton, Textile and Apparel Value Chain in Africa (CTA-2024), hosted at the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX) within Bahir Dar University.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, speaking at the event, the ‘Made in Ethiopia’ initiative has significantly boosted the domestic capabilities of the industry. He noted that while Ethiopia historically spent upwards of one billion USD annually on importing textile products, the nation is now shifting to producing these goods domestically on a large scale, aiming to reduce dependence on imports.

The conference spanned two days and included discussions, research presentations, and expert commentary, highlighting the sector’s growth and innovation. Professor Tamerat Tesfaye, Scientific Director at EiTEX, emphasized the institute’s role in training skilled professionals to support this burgeoning sector. He also shared that approximately 25.6 percent of the institute’s graduates have launched their own businesses in the field, further contributing to job creation.

The textile and apparel industry is acknowledged as a critical sector for economic growth and job creation across Africa, with significant contributions to cultural and economic development.