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?
Source: BBC
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It is rather preferable that this ban doesn't come to realization [at least for now]. Millions of Africans find used clothes to be their only source of affordable wearing clothes. As a matter of fact, used clothes are imported to Africa with various qualities; of which some are almost brand new (fairly used), and mostly well tailored, and most of all affordable. With the importation of used clothes, there is a COMPETITION...used clothes are well tailored, most are almost new, and as well affordable. While on the other hand, African designers are yet to showcase their talents in regard to their 'finishing'. Don't get me wrong on this, some African designers are very polish in their finishing [very few], but such comes with a polished price as well; thus determining how deep is the pocket of the buyer. In short, if such ban is to be enforced, millions of Africans will be affected.