Africa Can Compete. Export Opportunities and Challenges for Garments and HomeProducts in the U.S. Market. Africa Technical Department Series

摘要

The study explores an important emerging opportunity for African exporters in aparticular U.S. market niche--Afrocentric textiles and home products. The size and specific demand requirements of this emerging market are assessed by way of case studies of several large U.S. retail firms which are trying to source these African products. For various reasons, African firms are having problems meeting the demands of these firms, and the study investigates the specific supply constraints through detailed interviews with African producers. During the study, a growing opportunity for standardized garmets production for mainstream U.S. consumers was also uncovered. The final section of the study assesses the competitiveness of African producers in this market and assesses Africa's future potential in this global export market.