India wants to increase textile and apparel exports to Africa. India is presenting herself as a global sourcing hub and an investment destination showcasing the growth potential of technical textiles and carving a niche globally for handcrafted goods.

The country’s biggest market on the African continent is South Africa. South African chain store buyers, independent retailers, boutique owners, home textile and soft furnishing buyers, agents, wholesalers, importers and other industry professionals are interested in Indian products particularly fashion garments, embroidery, sequins, beadwork and the hand washes that India is famous for.

India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria. This will rebuild the cotton and textile value chain of Nigeria. In South Africa, India is recognised as one of the best sourcing destinations for garments, textiles, footwear and leather. India is the largest producer of jute, the second largest producer of cotton, silk and cellulosic fiber, the third largest producer of raw cotton and the fourth largest producer of synthetic fiber.

There is growing investment by Indian companies in Africa on a range of sectors such as telecommunications, hydrocarbons, agriculture, manufacturing, IT, water treatment and supply, drugs and pharmaceuticals, coal, automobiles, floriculture and textiles.