WHY WEST AFRICA
1.
FAVOURABLE
TRADE AGREEMENTS
2.
SPEED TO
MARKET
3.
LOW LIVING COSTS & LABOUR AVAILABILITY
4.
RAW MATERIAL POTENTIAL
ETHICAL APPROACH
5.
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Informed and engaged factory owners with a people-first mindset who are committed to empowering their workers
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Government and development agencies (USAID, GIZ, FCDO) supporting factories to achieve and go beyond compliance
6.
LONGEVITY
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Ghana has a strong history of political and economic stability
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Huge potential to capture increasing value over time through efficiency gains, vertical integration and renewable energy
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Rapidly developing middle class in West Africa represents new potential consumer market
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Duty free into the US under AGOA = 15-32% advantage
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Duty free into Europe = up to 12% advantage
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15-20 days shipment to the EU and 15-30 days shipment to the US, with daily shipping schedules
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Quick access to major ports (within 50km of factories)
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Relatively low cost of living versus Asia
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Strong workforce availability: Africa has the world’s fastest growing workforce, population set to double to 2 billion by 2050
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6th largest cotton producing region in the world (4x as much cotton as East Africa)
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Region produces conventional, sustainable, and organic cotton
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Currently 95% cotton exported in raw form; Opportunity to invest in spinning and weaving/knitting to close the gap in the value chain