The Ethiopian Textile and Garment Sector
FeMSEDA I ReMSEDAs I Chambers I Finance I
BDS providers I Networks I Associations I NGO/Projects I Print-
Overview of the Textile Sector [top]
Text from: Theo van der Loop, Institute of Social Studies (ISS), The Netherlands, Addis Ababa, 1/2003 Clothing and Footwear
in the African Industrialisation. The case of Ethiopia, clothing.doc 336 KB
Type of Enterprises
Within the textile sector, the CSA (2002) distinguishes four types of establishments. The most
numerous are the establishments involved in spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles, and they
also have a relatively large average number of workers per establishment (776). The knitting
mills and the wearing apparel manufacturers are much smaller in size. The two large
establishments manufacturing cordage, rope, twine & netting are public enterprises. The
proportion of public enterprises is overall (38%) much larger than in the leather sector (where it
is only 13%). However, the differences are large: almost two-thirds of the enterprises in
spinning, weaving & finishing of textiles are public, none of the relatively small knitting mills, and
only 16% of wearing apparel establishments. Even more significantly, the minority of public
enterprises have created much more employment, i.e. 66.8% of the employees. Public
establishments dominate in the areas of: gross value of production in textile; wages and salaries,
as well as numbers of employees in both textile and leather.
Industrial Establishment for the year 1999/2000
Industry
Textile
fabrics
Garment
Government
19
Private
17
Total
36
4
21
25
Employment for the year 1999/2000
Industry
Textile fabrics
Garment
Government
13,888
1,823
Private
7,060
1,929
Products
An overview of the kind of products produced and the changes in quantity over a number of
years (1992 – 2000) shows that some of the products are on the increase and peaked recently
(in 1998/99 or 1999/2000), such as lint cotton, woollen and other blankets, wearing apparel
(except leather), and, significantly, sewing thread and embroidery. Others are fairly stable with
respect to the volume of production, such as cotton and nylon fabrics, cotton yarn, and gunny
bags. Quite a number of products are clearly on the decrease, such as acrylic yarn, waste cotton
blankets, bed sheets, shirts, carpets, leather wearing apparel and sweaters. Lastly, hosieries
seem to mark rather large production peaks and lows, settling for a medium level in 2000.
Export
Export of textile products does not figure even among the top 10 export products of Ethiopia. In
2000/01 the value of exports of textile, clothing and apparel was 28.8 million Birr and ranked
12th (CSA 2002a). In spite of the importance of the textile sector to the nation, its development
has been constrained over the years by many factors. Some of the problems faced by the textile
enterprises some five years ago are still persisting, such as overly bureaucratic rules and
regulations, lack of modern technology, inconvenient bank rules and procedures, and poor
infrastructure (Taye 1997). In a recent forum on the status of the textile and garment industry,
representatives of the government and the business community concluded that nowadays the
major problems responsible for the deteriorating condition of this industry are: mismanagement,
financial constraints, impediments posed by the contraband trade and scarcity of spare parts
(Tamiru 2002).
Potentials
For the future, Ethiopia is fortunate in that it has the potential to provide the basic production
factors to the textile sector. Firstly, the sector highly depends on cotton, and sufficient quantities
of this raw material are being produced in Ethiopia; however, the quality leaves much to be
desired. There are two broad categories of cotton in Ethiopia, i.e. Selam from the Gondar region
in the Northwest of the country, and Awash from the Awash region in the East. There are
different grades within each category, but in general Awash is of a better quality. Factories
usually use a mix of the different types of cotton. Secondly, the manufacturing is labour
intensive, and the country has a relatively large labour force; although textile is mainly done by
un- or semi-skilled labour, skilled manpower is also required, such as electricians, managers,
accountants, and marketing experts.
Companies and Products [top]
Brown companies are public companies - Green companies are private companies
Garment
Awassa Textile Share Company
Tel 251-06-200202/155249/206343,
Fax 251-06-205506
Bahir Dar Textile Share Company
Tel 251-08-200455/09-824988/08-200104,
Fax 251-08-202012
Dire Dawa Textile Share Company
Tel 251-09-320054/05-113488/89,09320039, Fax 251-05-110583
Arbaminch Textile Share Company
Tel 251-09-218748/06-810406,
Fax 251-06-810404
Kombolcha Textile Share Company
Tel 251-03-511676/09-216836/513797,
Fax 251-1-510266/511771
Luis Garment
Tel 251-1-525285, Fax 251-1-536072,
garment
Ethos Garment
Tel 251-1-210633, garment
Unise Garment
Tel 251-09-402367/403450, Fax 251-1403447
sport wears
Miliyon General Garment
Tel 251-1-506578, Fax 251-1-506595
polo/T-shirt
Sara Garment
Tel 251-1-611687/630801, Fax 251-1630802, email sara@ethionet.et handlooms
Akaki Garment Share Company
Tel 251-1-340407/340490/09-207459
Ethio-Japanese Synthetic Textiles
share company
Tel 251-09/202385/513476/513333/16,
Fax 251-1-515077
Akaki Textile Share Company
Tel 251-09-220457/340154,
Fax 251-1-340222/341666
Gulele Garment Share Company
Tel 251-1-702101/702005, Fax 251-1702953
Addis Garment Share Company
Tel 251-09-221791/712200, Fax 251-1710077
Edget Garment Factory
Tel 251-1-556359/09-204114
Nazareth Garment Share Company
Tel 251-02-113361, Fax 251-1-124234
Almeda Textile factory
Tel 251-1-515938/09-208621, Fax 51-1517442
yarn, poplin, sheeting, canvas single jersey,
work cloths terry towels, T-shirt, trousers
Maa Garment
Tel. 251-1-520576/09-214998,
Fax 251-1-520677, email
kebire@ethionet.et
garment, knitted cloth
DH geda
Tel 251-1-638153/638154, Fax 251-1638162
acleric fiber
Tesfaye Garment
Tel 251-09-203957, Fax 251-1-711023
garment
Spectrum Business Group
Tel 251-1-557328, Fax 251-1-557328,
email spectrum@ethionet.et garment
Progress Garment
Tel 251-1-460917/613904, Fax 251-1460857
garment
Yoni Garment
Tel 251-1-211329/30/09-209659,
Fax 251-1-405923, email
uniplc@ethionet.et
sports wear
K.K. PLC
Tel 251-1-159015, Fax 251-1-519949
garment
Concept Ethiopia
Tel 251-09-240978 garment
PLC
Tel. 251-1-729124/23, Fax 251-1-511871,
email wtc@ethionet.et
boxer, shirt, napkin
Africa Cotton
Tel 251-09-221149
garment
Leykun Garment
Tel 251-09-621293 garment
Ras Dashen Textile Factory
Tel 251-09-200653+293167, Fax 251-1294162, email rasdashen@ethionet.et
garment, polo/T-shirt,
Zefmashe PLC
Tel 251-09-219396, Fax 251-1-463835,
email zefmesh@ethionet.et garment
Knit to finish
Tel 251-09-20227
garment, sport wear
Mulat Garment
Tel 251-09-406833/403615, Fax 251-1403614, email mulata@ethionet.et
garment, woven/knitted fabric,
Elthabet Garment
Tel 251-09-703301/400631, Fax 251-1-
Novaster Garment PLC
Tel 251-1-252078/09-648583,
Fax 251-1-638279
men, women and children garment
Kuta Garment
Tel 251-09-237491 jeans and T-shirts
Addis Izmir Textile Factory
779421
knitted fabric, garment, T-shirt
Nazrawi Garment S.Co.
Ambassador Garment
Tel 251-1-461427/09-606292, Fax 251-1461442, email amb.garment@ethionet.et
garment, knitted fabric
Yarn and Sewing Threads
Samuel Garment
Tel 251-09-201760,
email ki-yahos@ethionet.et
garment, knitted fabric
Wawe Int. Garment
jeans, T-shirt
Tel 251-1-157756, Fax 251-1-403338,
email fuad@ethionet.et
Ethabe Inter Garment
Tel 251-1-523691/512106, Fax 251-1511662, email etab.int.med@ethionet.et
medical garment, children shirt
Sonya Garment
Tel 251-1-235402, Fax 251-1-150683
rain coat, trousers
Oasis Abysisinia PLC
Tel 251-09-204884/555968, Fax 251-1553871, email yilkal.bisene@ethionet.et
polo/T-shirt
Haile Garment
Tel 251-09-206243, Fax 251-1-728787
garment
Shala Garment
Tel 251-1-558455/09-228396,
Fax 251-1-558461
shirts
GG Super Garment
Tel 251-09-211135/292329/30, Fax 251-1293123, email ggroyalhotel@ethionet.et
polo/T-shirt
Edget Yarn and Sewing Thread Factory
Tel 251-09-202041/711988, Fax 251-1713855
Adei Abeba Yarn Share Company
Tel 251-09-207573/423455/420618,
Fax 251-1-405120
Meher Fiber Products Factory
Tel 251-1-340312, Fax 251-1-340201
Cotton
Middle Awash Agricultural
Development Share Company
Tel 251-1-158190/525606/02-114588,
Fax 251-02-114593
Tendaho Agricultural Development
share Company
Tel 251-03-560026/514113, Fax 251-03513651
Amibara Agricultural Development
Share Company
Tel 251-1-150047/150036, Fax 251-1150040
Gawane Agricultural Development
Share Company
Tel 251-09-207601/09-224167/638482,
Fax 251-1-638484
Shoa Ginner Company
Gondar Ginner Factory
Weaving
Menbis Design
Tel 251-1-638190/09-214287handlooms
Trio Kraft
Tel 251-1-400752, Fax 251-1-632232,
email kassaelsh@ethionet.et handlooms
GIG Ethiop importe export
Tel 251-1-167559, Fax 251-1-169496,
email gigisdesigns@ethionet.et handlooms
Major Textile and Garment Exporting Enterprises
Awassa Textile S.Co., Awassa
Tel. 251-06-200202/155249/206343, Fax 251-06-205506
Kobolcha Textile S.Co, Kobolcha
Tel. 251-03-511676/09-216836, Fax. 251-1-510266/511771 (Addis Ababa
office)
Almeda Textile S.Co.
Addis Izmir Textile Factory, Dire Dawa
Tel. 251-09-320054/05-113488/89,09-320039, Fax 251-05-110583
Garment Express
Production and Export Capacity of Major Ethiopian Enterprises
Business Associations [top]
Ethiopian Textile and Garment Industry Association
P.O. Box 11901 Addis Ababa, Tel 251.9.21.92.66 Mobile, Fax 251.1.51.50.77
National Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Industry Trade Unions
P.O. Box 6983 Addis Ababa, Tel. 251.1.50.30.46, 251.9.24.82.05 mobile, Fax 251.1.50.80.11
Textile Training Centers [top]
Source: Addis Ababa Education Bureau
Merry Mazzarelo College
Tel. 251-1-728162, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Entoto TVET College
Tel. 251-1-238765, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa Technical College
Tel. 251-1-515475, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
General Wingate TVET College
Tel. 251-1-792250, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Higher 12 middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-140145/46
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Higher 4 middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-763713/14, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Higher 7 middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-763806-08, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Higher 20 middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-653805/06, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nifas Silk middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-402171, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
MisraK middle level TVET Center
Tel. 251-1-181949/610392, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Export Markets [top]
Center for the Promotion of Imports of Developing Countries (CBI)
http://www.cbi.nl/ Exporters - Importers - Business Supporters
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports From Developing Countries (CBI) is an Agency of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dutch Government, created in 1971. It has three target groups:
Medium sized exporters from developing countries, Export Promotion agencies (TPOs), and
European importers. In order to accomplish its mission CBI concentrates on five core
competencies. More details see under Links
European Union Trade Promotion Website
http://export-help.cec.eu.int/
The European Union (EU) launched a online helpdesk to provide information on exporting
products to the European markets. More details see under Links
Ethiopian Export Promotion Agency
www.ethioexport.org
Berlinkauf. Business Exchange. International Trade Market. Trade News
http://www.berlinkauf.com/
For Import/Export Procedures see
our
Import/Export - Guide
One Trade World Market Place
www.onetrade.biz/ot/
Alibaba. The directory of buyers by Industry. Database on how find your buyers.
http://importer.alibaba.com/
All categories of textile and leather products
http://importer.alibaba.com/buy_leads/4c1p/Textiles_Leather_Products.html
The Import-Export Help Buy/Sell Exchange is the largest source of international trade leads,
and tender opportunities from companies and government organizations around the world.
More details see under Links
List of major countries importing leant cotton
(Source: Comprehensive Cotton Development Plan, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004)
Pakistan, India, Greece, Djibouti, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Sirilanka,
China, Brazil, Japan, Pakistan, Portugal, Sudan, Morocco, Thailand, Denmark,
Indonesia, Yemen, Turkey, Switzerland, Vietnam, Italy, Mexico, Korea republic,
Russia Federation, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Tunisia,
List of major countries importing Ethiopian leant cotton
Pakistan, India, Greece, Djibouti, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Sirilanka,
Thailand, Denmark, Indonesia, Yemen, Turkey, Switzerland, Vietnam, Italy
List of major Cotton exporting Countries in the World
(Source: Comprehensive Cotton Development Plan, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004)
United States of America, Australia, Greece, Mali, Egypt, Paraguay, Sudan, India,
Uzbekistan, Argentina, Syria, Benin, Turkey, Mexico, Spain, Ethiopia
Japanese Trade Fair Information. Free online business partnering database that allows
companies and individuals around the world to search and browse through over 40,000 business
proposals. http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/matching/ More details see under Links
E-Trade Center. Looking for business contacts. This is a market place for searching and offering
business contacts around the world in different sectors. www.e-trade-center.com
FITA. Federation of International Trade Associations.
European Business Directory. International Trade Directory. Advertising Opportunities. Calendar
of Trade Events. More details see under Links
Premier International Business to Business Trade Portal with the most complete foreign
trade, import and export information! FREE services for importers, exporters & trade shows
organizers. Directories of Importers and Exporters, of Freight Transporters, Embassies and
Consulates, Market Research Tools Trade terms and Codes, Measurements and Conversions.
http://www.foreign-trade.com/
Supply Markets [top]
TexData. Technical Database for the Textile Industry
www.texdata.com/start.htm
The best of the textile equipment supply databases. Textile machinery suppliers world wide.
WLW (Wer liefert was? - Who delivers what?) http://web.wlwonline.de
Who makes Machinery in Germany http://www.vdma-products.com/PARA-25/
GEPTEX. Second hand textile machinery http://www.geptex.com/center.htm
Resale. Second hand textile machinery http://www.resale.de/off-e-6.htm
Exhibitions and Trade Fairs in the Textile Sector
[top]
All Textile and Fashion Trade Fairs under Fibre2fashion.com
Complete exhibitor and visitor information, full address and contacts and organizer details
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/tradefairs/index.asp
 Industrial Fairs, Fashion shows, Events, Seminars and Conferences, Gifts and article Fairs
Heimtextil (Home Textile) - Textile Fairs worldwide
http://heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com/global/en/home.html
Textile Fairs Calendar 2005
Worldwide
for download (Adobe pdf-file)
FairCalendar_May2005.pdf 300 KB
Consumer Goods: Apparel and Textiles
Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Fairs and Festivals, Conventions, Conferences and Seminars
Web Directory of Events, Products and Services
Children fashion, Equipment and supplies, Fashion shows, Footwear and Leather, Yarns and
Fibres, Companies /Footballwear, Sportswear, Streetwear, Clothing)
http://www.expocentral.com/consumer_goods/
industry_consumer_goods_apparel_and_textiles.html