Egypt’s ready-made garment and textiles sector has the potential to increase exports nearly sevenfold by 2030, according to Mahmoud Ghazal, Chairperson of Nile Textile Industries and member of the Textile Industries Chamber. He argues that a $20bn export target is achievable within the framework of Egypt Vision 2030, which prioritises a competitive, diversified, export-led growth model.
Ghazal notes that global markets—including the US, EU and the Gulf—import almost $400bn annually in apparel and textile products. Capturing even 5% of that demand would deliver Egypt’s 2030 export ambition. Supply-chain realignments driven by geopolitics and sourcing diversification also provide a window of opportunity for Egypt to attract new buyers.
Yet current performance highlights the scale of the challenge:
• $2.9bn in ready-made garment exports (2024)
• $254m in home textiles
• $230m in woven and knitted fabrics
He identifies several obstacles slowing progress: slow customs processes, documentation bottlenecks, a rigid investment environment, and capacity gaps among public-sector staff involved in export procedures.
To accelerate momentum, Ghazal proposes structural reforms centred on industry upgrading and deeper integration of small producers. Priorities include:
• Export cooperatives to help micro and small factories reach international standards and participate in large-volume contracts.
• Support centres for technical and administrative training in small enterprises.
• Vertical integration across spinning, weaving, dyeing and garmenting to reduce reliance on imported inputs and increase domestic value addition.
He outlines two complementary export pathways:
1. OEM and B2B manufacturing, the fastest route to scaling export volumes;
2. Building Egyptian brands, a longer-term strategy requiring investment in design, marketing and branding.
Ghazal stresses that reaching $20bn in apparel exports by 2030 is feasible if the private sector is fully engaged and reforms are implemented with discipline. Removing customs and administrative barriers would accelerate progress and support Egypt’s broader ambition of achieving $150bn in total annual exports.
With global buyers actively seeking diversified sourcing beyond Asia, Egypt has a strategic opening—but must act quickly to translate opportunity into competitiveness.
