Africa captures record share of US apparel imports in Q1 2026

The achievement is significant because African apparel-exporting nations had struggled for years to cross the * per cent threshold in the US clothing import market. Even during the post-pandemic sourcing boom of ****, when US apparel imports surged to $***.** billion, Africa’s share reached only *.** per cent despite exports climbing to $*.** billion, according to the sourcing intelligence tool TexPro.

The latest gain was aided by a contraction in overall US apparel imports. Total US imports fell to $**.** billion in Q* **** from $**.** billion a year earlier, while African exports increased by *.* per cent. This allowed Africa to expand its share despite weaker demand in the broader market.

Africa’s progress has been gradual over the past few years. The region accounted for *.** per cent of US apparel imports in ****, with exports of $*.** billion. Its share remained almost unchanged at *.** per cent in ****, when exports rose to $*.** billion. In ****, exports increased further to $*.** billion, lifting market share to *.** per cent before the record breakthrough in early ****, the TexPro data showed.

The region continues to benefit from preferential access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), while global brands increasingly diversify sourcing beyond traditional Asian manufacturing hubs. Countries such as Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Ethiopia have emerged as key beneficiaries of these shifts.