By Fotabe Elmine
Located in the Indian Ocean, off the East coast of Africa, the island nation of Madagascar is home to 24 million people. Seventy-six percent live in extreme poverty and struggle to meet their basic needs (East Africa trade and investment hub).
In spite of all the economic issues the country is facing, the fashion industry in Madagascar, which is the largest formal employer outside agriculture is creating jobs. The industry has serviced the United States and the European Markets for decades. By June 2004, Madagascar’s clothing exports to the United States alone had exceeded $323 million!
What is Madagascar Producing?
What is Madagascar producing that has given this developing nation the status of one of the leading textile and clothing exporters in Africa? Madagascar is famous for excellent knitwear. Fashion and textile companies in Madagascar produce fine quality Golf Shirts, T-shirts, Leggings, joggings, underwear, sweaters and more.
What challenges does Madagascar face?
“Just-style” reports that in spite of the numerous opportunities, Madagascar is not an easy option for garment Manufacturers. Most fabrics have to be imported, electricity supply is problematic, and road infrastructure is poor. Other serious challenges include delays at the Ports, too many administrative procedures, corruption, and a week judicial system. More importantly, the overall cost of doing business in Madagascar is high.
How Madagascar is managing challenges:
In 2002 and 2009, Madagascar faced an eight-month political crisis which cost the country to lose millions of dollars of trade and tourism revenue. Still, Madagascar is bouncing back as a giant in the textile and fashion industry. Industry leaders believe in Madagascar. Many of them are committed in ecological sustainability. Workers’ skills in Madagascar continue to center around couture products, things with hand embroidery and knitting. No wonder the country is only a few steps away from being the leader!
A look at Cameroon
Reading the analysis mentioned supra, one would have the impression that the country under consideration is Cameroon. The opportunities and challenges are almost identical. So I am tempted to ask why the Fashion and textile industry in Cameroon is still struggling.
There are numerous opportunities
Cameroon enjoys cultural and national diversity which has earned the country the status of Africa in Miniature. If exploited, this diversity can open up numerous opportunities in terms of fashion style and variety. The footwear industry which is still at its nascent stage also opens up numerous opportunities. The additionally, the sports and showbiz industries provide opportunities for local designers to launch and grow fashion empires.
The way forward
While government’s support for the industry still leaves much to be desired, a real game changer would be a general understanding that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is the future of the fashion and textile industry and other industries. Presently, TVET carries low status in Cameroon. Over the years, it has been stigmatized as second best, and has no prestige. Families and students need to embrace TVET and make it a top career choice.
The Ministry of employment and Vocational training has been championing the development of this industry by providing training programs in Fashion design, clothing and textiles. Recently, the Ministry of Higher Education launched a Higher National Diploma in the same field. Many young entrepreneurs have also started small ventures in fashion design. These are all laudable initiatives. Yet, the missing link between fashion design and economic development in Cameroon is Fashion Business Management. Fashion Entrepreneurs need to learn how to monetize their creative fashion ideas and scale beyond our territorial boundaries.
African Arts Academy’s Fashion business Management was created to meet these needs. Read more about the program by clicking on this link: https://www.funic.co/institutions/Fashion%20Business%20Management