Nigeria–India Textile Push Gains Momentum as Business Leaders Canvass Industrial Revival, Women Inclusion

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Abuja witnessed a major push for industrial transformation and inclusive financing as stakeholders from Nigeria and India intensified calls for a structured revival of Nigeria’s textile industry and expanded access to funding for women-owned enterprises.

At a high-level Nigeria–India Textile Business-to-Business (B2B) engagement and policy roundtable, leading private sector figures and trade partners outlined a coordinated strategy aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s textile sector as a major driver of jobs, exports, and industrial growth.

The discussions brought together the leadership of the Nigerian business community, represented by the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jani Ibrahim, and the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emeka Obegolu, alongside Indian trade representatives and development partners.

In his address, Ibrahim warned that Nigeria’s textile industry remains in steep decline despite strong domestic demand, revealing that the country imported textiles worth over N1 trillion in 2025 alone, while exports fell sharply.

He described the trend as a “loss of national value,” arguing that billions spent on imports could instead strengthen local cotton farmers, textile manufacturers, designers, and small businesses across the value chain.

Despite the challenges, he stressed that Nigeria retains strong fundamentals—large population, growing fashion industry, cotton potential, and a vibrant entrepreneurial base—that could support a full-scale industrial rebound if properly structured.

A major highlight of the engagement was the proposed industrial partnership with India, which stakeholders described as a model for technology transfer and value chain development.

India, currently one of the world’s largest textile economies, was presented as a key partner in machinery supply, textile technology, skills development, and manufacturing investment.

Stakeholders proposed the establishment of textile processing clusters in Nigeria’s cotton-producing regions such as Katsina and Zamfara States, alongside technical collaboration with Indian industrial hubs in Surat, Tiruppur and Coimbatore.

Plans were also discussed for deeper institutional cooperation, including training programmes, virtual trade linkages, and business-to-business matchmaking between Nigerian distributors and Indian manufacturers.

NACCIMA urged a shift from fragmented production to a fully integrated cotton-to-garment value chain covering farming, ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, garmenting and retail distribution.

The chamber also identified key bottlenecks including outdated machinery, inadequate skills, weak access to finance, and lack of structured domestic demand for locally made textiles.

Stakeholders called for targeted financing models, improved industrial policies, and stronger enforcement of local content procurement for uniforms, hospitality, and public sector clothing needs.

In a parallel policy dialogue, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry also convened a high-level roundtable on mobilising non-interest funding for women-owned businesses, with its President, Dr. Emeka Obegolu, SAN, describing financial inclusion as central to Nigeria’s economic future.

Obegolu said women-led MSMEs remain critical to job creation and innovation but continue to face major barriers in accessing credit due to high interest rates, collateral requirements, and rigid lending structures.

He advocated expansion of non-interest finance models, describing them as ethical, inclusive, and better suited to small and growing enterprises.

He said the Chamber would work with financial institutions, regulators, and development partners to expand awareness, build trust, and connect women entrepreneurs directly to funding opportunities.

Across both engagements, a common message emerged: Nigeria’s economic transformation depends on rebuilding its productive base and ensuring inclusive access to finance and technology.

Stakeholders stressed that the textile industry alone could become a major employment engine if supported by coherent policy, industrial investment, and international collaboration.

They also agreed that women and young entrepreneurs must be placed at the centre of the country’s industrial revival strategy.

The meetings ended with a renewed commitment to move beyond dialogue toward implementation, with calls for bankable projects, structured partnerships, and measurable economic outcomes.

If fully implemented, stakeholders said, the Nigeria–India textile partnership and expanded financial inclusion agenda could redefine Nigeria’s manufacturing landscape and strengthen its position in global trade.