Kenya plans to expand textile and apparel (T&A) exports to $1 billion (Ksh 133 billion) by 2027, says William Ruto, President.

Currently, Kenya has over 100 companies employing 66,000 people directly in its textile and apparel sub-sector, adds Ruto. Apparel exports from the country currently stand at about Ksh 51 billion, according to a report by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

Kenya is the largest exporter of garments under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program, with the United States being the largest export destination for its apparel.

The country supplies its apparel to all major brands in America such as H&M, Levi’s, JC Penny and Wrangler. 

The US has invested over $11 million (Ksh. 1.47 billion) in grants through the USAID to create jobs, increase trade, and strengthen Kenya’s textile and apparel sector. The investment will help  expand the operations of major Kenyan brands such as Vivo, Ikwetta and Ubuntu.  The investment aims to grow the operations of Kenya's apparel manufacturing companies like Hela, MAS, Best, Atraco, Royal, Simba, UAL, and Mega, adds Ruto.

Another of the investment’s objective is to bring new vertical capabilities to Kenya’s textile and apparel subsector, with the entry of companies like Kohinoor and Nexgen into the manufacture of elastics and labeling. Additionally, these companies have committed to invest $77 million (Ksh.10.3 billion) in the sector.

This will help Kenya generate an additional $330 million in apparel exports and create over 20,000 new jobs by the end of 2025, notes Ruto.

The opening of Nexgen Packaging EPZ factory adds to the 39 apparel companies currently based in Kenya’s Export Processing Zones. The company produces garments for top fashion names such as the Under Armour sportswear brand, New Balance, Ralph Lauren, J Crew and Kate Spade.