News Africa

Is it time to ban imports of second-hand clothes?

By some estimates, almost 70% of all clothes donated globally end up in Africa.

And, for decades, people across the continent welcomed those imports – mostly from the US and Europe – with open arms.

They proved to be a real lifeline for those of us who couldn’t afford brand new outfits.

“People prefer second-hand clothes, because they are cheaper compared to having something I would make from scratch,” says Grace Nsonga, who runs a fashion business in Lilongwe, Malawi.

But the sheer amount of clothes being imported has got in the way of African businesses.

Designers, tailors, garment factories… They all say they could have far more customers, if it weren’t for these imports.

That’s why some of them have been calling for the imports to be banned – or, at least, seriously limited.

“Africans really are starting to realise that they have all the means for them to be able to grow,” says Emanuela Gregorio, an economist with the African Development Bank.

But how feasible would it be to enforce such a ban? And what impact could it actually have?

BBC.COM

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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