Role of Cotton in Ethiopia’s Apparel Industry

Ethiopia has a long history of cotton agriculture and cotton garment production. Until the establishment of the Dire Dawa textile mill in 1939, the textile and garment business was limited to traditional textiles. Currently, both traditional and modern cotton industries supply a range of clothing options, creating ample job opportunities to meet the increasing demand for apparel in local and international markets. The Ethiopian textile and clothing sector primarily relies on cotton, with handmade cotton items and various cotton products from modern apparel industries being commonly produced. Cotton clothing is favoured for its aesthetic appeal, durability, versatility, comfort, and biodegradability, making it an ideal choice for various products like clothing, bedding, and textiles. Consequently, Ethiopian cotton apparel is popularly sold in the global market, with the United States, Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Spain, and China being the main markets. However, the sector faces challenges in producing quality products that meet consumer needs, mainly due to the quality of the input cotton. This issue hinders the sector’s competitiveness in the global market. Besides the economic benefits, cotton garments are also closely associated with social, cultural, and religious activities. Ethiopia aims to become an African hub for fabric manufacturing by 2025, investing in well-established industry parks and infrastructure across the country to attract international apparel buyers. Strategies such as value addition to indigenous cotton cultivation, sustainable cotton production, and availability of renewable green energy are being designed to enhance the sector's competitiveness in the global market.