Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
A Nigerian fashion firm, Mo’Afrique, has launched a garment factory in Abuja as part of efforts to scale local production, create jobs and reduce the country’s dependence on imported clothing.
The company also introduced a new line, Modish Formals, targeting bulk supply of uniforms and professional wear to institutions including schools, corporate organisations and security agencies.
Founder and Creative Director, Omobolanle Olawale, speaking at the weekend in Abuja, said the expansion reflected a shift from bespoke fashion into industrial-scale production. According to her, the move is driven by a gap in the local market for quality, high-volume garment manufacturing.
Nigeria’s clothing industry has long struggled to compete with imports. Industry estimates show the country spends about $6 billion annually on imported apparel, while a significant share of fabrics used locally, including Ankara, are sourced from abroad. Analysts attribute this to weak manufacturing capacity, smuggling and limited infrastructure.
Olawale said the new facility is equipped for large-scale production and is expected to support job creation and skills development, although she did not disclose projected output or employment figures.
The factory launch comes amid renewed calls for import substitution and local value chain development under government industrial policies. However, past interventions in the textile and garment sector have recorded mixed results, with stakeholders citing inconsistent implementation and policy gaps.
Mo’Afrique said it plans to expand across the textile value chain over the next decade, positioning the new factory as a production hub for both domestic and regional markets.
The company also announced a social initiative to provide school uniforms to children in public schools, though details of its scale and funding were not provided.
The development highlights ongoing private sector efforts to revive local manufacturing in Nigeria’s garment industry, where demand remains high but domestic supply continues to lag.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the development as a sign of growing industrialization and resilience among local entrepreneurs.
According to her, the factory represents a shift from small-scale enterprise to production-driven growth.
“Today is a double celebration, it marks 10 years of an entrepreneur who started in her bedroom and built a business through sheer determination and hard work. What we are seeing now is a new phase—industrialisation driven by productivity, skills and competitiveness,” she stated.
She added that the government is encouraging businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“I have charged her to export to the rest of Africa and the world. This is what our economic direction is about—supporting entrepreneurs to grow, compete and create jobs,” she said.
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