Could West Africa Be Fashion’s Next Manufacturing Hub?
As brands look to diversify away from Asia-centric supply chains, a trend accelerated by trade tensions and tariffs, Africa is being positioned as an alternative manufacturing base. Regions such as North Africa (notably Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) have become hubs for fast-turnaround apparel production, while East Africa (particularly Ethiopia and Kenya) has attracted investment in large-scale garment manufacturing.This move comes with risk, however. Bangladesh offered similar promise in the 1990s; low costs, trade preferences and developmental potential. Cambodia and Vietnam followed in the 2000s. Each time, initial optimism about ethical development eventually gave way to familiar patterns: downward pressure on wages, weak labor protections and brands prioritizing cost over conditions. W...










