Ghanaian fashion industry faces high import dependency and funding gaps

Hillary Sarah Andoh, founder of HSA PR, has identified a significant economic opportunity within Ghana’s fashion sector, noting that approximately 70 per cent of textiles and garments consumed locally are currently imported.

Speaking at the Black Star Fashion Week 2026 Summit, Andoh argued that this high level of importation presents a chance for local textile producers, garment manufacturers, and designers to expand production and capture a larger share of the domestic market. She emphasized the need to innovate traditional fabrics, such as Kente and Fugu, to increase their appeal both domestically and internationally.

However, Andoh warned that creative talent alone is insufficient to build a sustainable industry. She highlighted several systemic barriers, including limited access to affordable finance, high borrowing costs, inadequate manufacturing capacity, and weak internal business structures. To address these challenges, she called for increased private sector investment, venture capital, and patient capital, urging the industry to be recognized as a vital economic driver for women, youth, and small-to-medium enterprises.