Textile and garment exports to Africa: Modest value compared to potential
![]() |
Vietnam is one of eight major textile and garment exporting countries in the world, but the value of textile exports to Africa is still quite modest. Photo: N.Thanh |
South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya in great demand
According to the Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Africa has a large population and high consumer demand while intra-regional production has not yet developed.
In many African countries, the textile industry is still underdeveloped despite having an abundant source of raw cotton. This continent will become a promising consumer market for textiles, leather and footwear products due to the improved income of the people, diverse tastes and fashion preferences.
Notably, African countries, especially South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya have great demand for textiles, garments, and footwear.
Mr. Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Department, said that although Vietnam is one of the eight major textile and garment exporting countries in the world, the export value of this group of goods to Africa is still quite modest.
Talking to a reporter from Customs News, a representative of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association said that in 2021, Africa will import US$0.05 billion from Vietnam of textiles and garments, down 80.77% over the same period in 2020.
Meanwhile this market exports to Vietnam US$0.01 billion of textiles and garments, down 85.72% over the same period in 2020.
“Vietnam can increase exports of textiles, garments and footwear to Africa because this item has competitive advantages such as lower labor costs than many Asian countries, while sewing skills are good and productivity and quality are high. Notably, in addition to exporting to this market, Vietnamese enterprises can consider the possibility of investing in some major markets in Africa to take advantage of cheap and available labor and raw materials for the production of textiles and garments to serve the needs of the host country and for export," said Mr. Le Hoang Tai.
From the perspective of textile enterprises, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), said that despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the African market for Vietnamese textile and garment products is still very large.
The region's economy has grown rapidly in recent years, leading to an increase in people's consumption demands, including textile products. Meanwhile, there are now 43 of 55 African countries participating in the World Trade Organization (WTO), so these countries have gradually removed non-tariff barriers as well as reduced import taxes.
Another factor mentioned by Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai is that people in many African countries have sympathy for the people and achievements of Vietnam's socio-economic development. This is also an advantage for Vietnamese goods and Vietnamese textiles and garments to increase market share in this region.
“Hopefully African businesses can participate in investing in stages in the green and sustainable production chain of Vietnamese fashion products for cooperation and development. In contrast, Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises can also increase imports of raw cotton from West Africa, Central Africa, as well as research and invest in production in African countries to take advantage of raw material sources of these countries,” said Mai.
Be careful to avoid being scammed
Although the export potential of Vietnam's goods and textiles and garments to the African market is still large, the representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in many African countries recommends that Vietnamese enterprises need to be cautious in trade with African partners. Transaction fraud has occurred. The subject accepts any import offer from a Vietnamese enterprise or the subject offers to export to Vietnam at a low price, then asks to pay a fee/deposit.
In addition, in cooperation with the enterprise in Africa, Vietnamese enterprises need to pay attention to business practices, time, and especially language so that they can adjust their plans accordingly.
Mr. Tran Hung Cuong, a representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Nigeria, said that in exporting to Nigeria, the phenomenon of fraud in business transactions in Nigeria and in West Africa is still common.
The forms of fraud of the subjects are quite diverse, which can be fraudulent in bidding on the import and export of goods. Notably, scammers often sign export contracts for Vietnamese enterprises, and deliver 1-2 contracts on time with good product quality to create trust. From the third contract, the subject asked the Vietnamese enterprise to transfer a deposit of 30-50% of the contract value, appropriate this amount and not deliver the goods.
In addition, businesses also face difficulties in payment when most West African countries use a form of payment with a certain level of risk. Thorough verification of partners is necessary to avoid risks when signing export and import contracts. Businesses should also apply the form of payment of the irrevocable letter of credit, payment at sight (L/C), the representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Nigeria said.
Mr. Cuong recommended in the case of payment in the form of a deposit, businesses should ask their partners to deposit 30-50% of the value for new and first-time orders; should not transfer money in any form when requested by partners such as brokerage fees, attorney fees.
With import activities to Vietnam, businesses need to conduct an inspection of goods in the host country before putting the goods on board or hire reputable inspection companies to ensure quality. In the first stage, enterprises should go directly to meet suppliers and supervise the purchasing and loading of goods on the ship.
Related News
![Seafood enterprises shift business and export](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/01/22/croped/62024082708484520240901223914.jpg?240906091136)
Seafood enterprises shift business and export
09:11 | 06/09/2024 Import-Export
![The key to opening new doors for agricultural enterprises](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/30/14/croped/152024082710414820240830143119.jpg?240905100212)
The key to opening new doors for agricultural enterprises
10:02 | 05/09/2024 Import-Export
![FDI enterprises records US$321 billion in trade](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/28/16/croped/image0012024082709322920240828163401.png?240901060052)
FDI enterprises records US$321 billion in trade
18:00 | 01/09/2024 Import-Export
![Exporting phone and component to India grows 102%](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/28/10/croped/image0012024082710301620240828105755.png?240901060021)
Exporting phone and component to India grows 102%
18:00 | 01/09/2024 Import-Export
Latest News
![Vietnam’s aquatic product exports reel in positive forecasts to year end](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/07/18/croped/shrimp-144620240907183436.4919100.jpeg?240907063502)
Vietnam’s aquatic product exports reel in positive forecasts to year end
18:35 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum 2024 opens](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/07/18/croped/hinh-anh-1-414720240907183241.8732450.jpg?240907063321)
Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum 2024 opens
18:33 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![Industrial real estate - "Magnet" attracting foreign capital](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/04/16/4-z5057864696649-9927657359836bc057d6000de04cc6f2202408161459212024082218451220240904160920.jpg?rt=20240904160923?240907090112)
Industrial real estate - "Magnet" attracting foreign capital
09:01 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![New markets help fruit exports grow to record revenues](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/06/14/croped/qua-903020240906141844.6050400.jpg?240906021908)
New markets help fruit exports grow to record revenues
14:19 | 06/09/2024 Import-Export
More News
![Export-import through Mong Cai int’l border gate grows 24%](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/06/14/croped/ming-cai-279320240906141603.6879800.jpg?240906021625)
Export-import through Mong Cai int’l border gate grows 24%
14:16 | 06/09/2024 Import-Export
![Centre of raw materials for textiles and footwear expected to be launched in 2025](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/05/16/croped/372356-raw20material20centre20120240905161522.1353050.jpg?240905041544)
Centre of raw materials for textiles and footwear expected to be launched in 2025
16:15 | 05/09/2024 Import-Export
![Binh Duong’s export revenue rises 11.3%](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/05/16/croped/binh-duong-exports-456520240905161355.6659760.jpg?240905041420)
Binh Duong’s export revenue rises 11.3%
16:14 | 05/09/2024 Import-Export
![Vietnamese vegetables, fruits promoted at Asia Fruit Logistica](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/05/16/croped/capture-195220240905161220.1649880.png?240905041241)
Vietnamese vegetables, fruits promoted at Asia Fruit Logistica
16:12 | 05/09/2024 Import-Export
![Note for businesses when converting green and digital](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/30/13/croped/142024082710321220240830135517.jpg?240905100039)
Note for businesses when converting green and digital
10:00 | 05/09/2024 Import-Export
![Việt Nam targets developing green steel products](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/04/14/croped/370578-steel20240904144042.jpg?240904024143)
Việt Nam targets developing green steel products
14:41 | 04/09/2024 Import-Export
![Rice exports top 6.1 million tonnes in eight months](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/04/14/croped/gia-gao-xuat-khau-giam-772027-200320240904142833.9542750.jpg?240904022853)
Rice exports top 6.1 million tonnes in eight months
14:28 | 04/09/2024 Import-Export
![Allocation of import sugar tariff quota via auction in 2024](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/30/10/duong2024082814425120240830103744.jpg?rt=20240830103749?240904083053)
Allocation of import sugar tariff quota via auction in 2024
08:30 | 04/09/2024 Import-Export
![FDI enterprises maintain their own advantages to retain high-quality human resources](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/082024/29/16/croped/142024082010352520240829160220.jpg?240904082908)
FDI enterprises maintain their own advantages to retain high-quality human resources
08:29 | 04/09/2024 Import-Export
Your care
![Vietnam’s aquatic product exports reel in positive forecasts to year end](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/07/18/croped/medium/shrimp-144620240907183436.4919100.jpeg?240907063502)
Vietnam’s aquatic product exports reel in positive forecasts to year end
18:35 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum 2024 opens](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/07/18/croped/medium/hinh-anh-1-414720240907183241.8732450.jpg?240907063321)
Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum 2024 opens
18:33 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![Industrial real estate - "Magnet" attracting foreign capital](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/04/16/medium/4-z5057864696649-9927657359836bc057d6000de04cc6f2202408161459212024082218451220240904160920.jpg?rt=20240904160923?240907090112)
Industrial real estate - "Magnet" attracting foreign capital
09:01 | 07/09/2024 Import-Export
![New markets help fruit exports grow to record revenues](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/06/14/croped/medium/qua-903020240906141844.6050400.jpg?240906021908)
New markets help fruit exports grow to record revenues
14:19 | 06/09/2024 Import-Export
![Export-import through Mong Cai int’l border gate grows 24%](https://english.haiquanonline.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/092024/06/14/croped/medium/ming-cai-279320240906141603.6879800.jpg?240906021625)
Export-import through Mong Cai int’l border gate grows 24%
14:16 | 06/09/2024 Import-Export