Building capacity to help Africa trade better

Africa’s used clothing imports

Infographics

Africa’s used clothing imports

Trade in used-clothing has become big business in some African countries, contributing to employment for many people who earn their livelihood from the business.

Global trade exceeded US$3.7 billion in 2016; a decline of 2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over a five-year period (2012-2016); Africa has consistently imported US$1 billion in used clothes over the last 5 years (32% of total world imports in 2016).

62% of total African imports is accounted for by only 10 countries, amounting to over US$600 million in 2016. East African countries feature prominently with Kenya; Uganda and Tanzania accounting for 25% share of total Africa imports of used clothes.

Read more in the tralac Trade Brief: Trade in second-hand clothes: the bigger picture.

Africa’s used clothing imports

Registration to the tralac website is required to download these files.

Contact

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel +27 21 880 2010