Kenya Surpasses Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania to Become Africa's Leading Mitumba Market
Kenya has taken the lead as Africa's biggest importer of used clothes, surpassing Nigeria and other leading countries in imports within the continent.
Nigeria stands as one of Africa’s largest economies, boasting a GDP of $363.8 billion versus Kenya’s $108 billion. Furthermore, Nigeria's populace numbers around 227 million people, significantly larger than Kenya’s approximately 55 million inhabitants.
Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) indicates that Kenya imported second-hand clothing and textiles worth KES 38.5 billion ($298 million) in 2023, marking an increase of 12.45% from KES 34.28 billion ($265 million) in the prior year. This significant rise has propelled Kenya ahead of Nigeria—a country with over four times its population—to become the leading purchaser of mitumbas on the continent.
This stream encompasses items ranging from used jeans and T-shirts to bed linens and industrial cloths, fueling a prosperous business that serves Kenyans looking for budget-friendly choices.
Bringing second-hand clothing into Africa
In 2022, Kenya and Nigeria were almost neck and neck, with their imports being approximately KES 34.5 billion ($265 million) each, whereas South Africa trailed slightly behind at KES 33.76 billion ($261 million).
By 2023, the scenario had changed: Kenya took the lead, Ghana rose to second place with KSh30.4 billion, followed closely by South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria at KSh29.4 billion, KSh27.2 billion, and KSh27 billion, respectively.
Here is a list displaying the market share of second-hand clothing imports in Africa:
- Kenya: 3.56%
- Ghana: 2.35%
- Uganda: 2.14%
- Tanzania: 1.98%
- Angola: 1.93%
- Malawi: 1.8%
- Cameroon: 1.77%
- Madagascar: 1.35%
- Tunisia: 1.35%
- Benin: 1.34%
According to data from the OEC, the United States leads as the largest exporter of used clothing to developing nations, with Pakistan being the top global importer.
Kenyan trade regulations concerning used clothing
Significantly, Kenya along with other qualifying Sub-Saharan countries has greatly benefitted from the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), part of Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (P.L. 106–200). This act aimed at supporting the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa and enhancing trade relationships between the United States and this area.
In communication with .co.ke, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers expressed their views,
This accord has enabled tariff-free entry for Kenyan products, permitting different industries to broaden their export markets and enhance their international competitive edge. The clothing and textiles sector has particularly benefited, positioning Kenya as the top supplier of attire to the U.S. within Sub-Saharan Africa via AGOA.
According to economist Daniel Kathali, the absence of trade policies restricting the importation of second-hand clothing, along with the removal of the ban in 2020, has significantly fueled higher imports of these goods, thereby hampering the growth of domestic manufacturing sectors.
The removal of restrictions on imported second-hand clothing has left Kenya without adequate regulations to manage the surge of used garments entering the country. This situation has put significant pressure on local producers who must contend with much less expensive mitumba items. Consequently, this has deterred investments in homegrown textile manufacturing, hampering industrial expansion and reducing employment opportunities within the industry,” stated Kathali.
To reverse this trend, Kathali emphasizes the need for policy interventions, such as import quotas, higher tariffs, and incentives for local manufacturers to strengthen Kenya’s textile industry.