Ethiopia’s apparel exports to the US grew 106.69 per cent from January to July this year. The country’s apparel exports in July grew 57 per cent over apparel exports in June. Cotton apparels have a 56.28 per cent share in overall exports from Ethiopia to the US while manmade fiber apparels have a 42.22 per cent share.

Ethiopia has surpassed all other major African countries in terms of percentage-wise growth in apparel exports. The value of Kenya’s apparel exports to the US rose 16.44 per cent. The value of Lesotho’s apparel exports to the US grew 8.05 per cent during the period.

Ethiopia is continuously increasing its share in the US apparel market. The closest competitor is Morocco whose export value to the US rose 3.65 per cent. Ethiopia is expected to overtake Morocco by the end of 2018 in apparel exports to the US. The textile and apparel sector is one of Ethiopia’s key industrial sectors.

Several major foreign companies have invested in the textile and clothing industry in Ethiopia and a number of high profile brand names have started sourcing apparel from the country. Ethiopia has been making efforts to create favorable conditions in order to attract investors.