(Ecofin Agency) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched on Oct. 4, 2017, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a special training programme for entrepreneurs and young enterprises operating in the textile, clothing and accessories industry (TH&A).

The programme falls under the Fashionomics initiative started in May 2015, by the financial institution to boost Africa’s integration to the global textile value chain, by reinforcing the capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

In its first phase, the training programme benefited 95 individuals (including 64 women), including members of the Ethiopian Fashion Designers Association (FDA), fashion entrepreneurs and independent creators.

“The Fashionomics workshops aim to provide a better understanding of creation and brand building, from the establishment of a first production line as a single entity to the establishment of a team sharing the brand’s philosophy,” said Emanuel Gregorio, an AfDB specialist.

Training sessions should also take place in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. 

Let it be recalled that, according to the AfDB, Africa provides 10% of cotton produced worldwide but its share in the global textile market is only 16% with $1.6 billion of revenues in 2015, far behind Pacific Asia which reigns over the industry with a 60% market share. 

Espoir Olodo