Kwara garment to leverage African free trade agreement

Kwara Garment Factory (KGF), in Ilorin Kwara State says plans are underway to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and explore export opportunities across Africa

It equally disclosed that new benchmarks for economic development which include job creation, increased industrial growth to further aid the revenue generation for the State has been set.

Bukola Adedeji, the Managing Director of the Kwara Garment Factory, stated this while giving her stewardship, at the Inter Ministerial Press Briefing, organized by the Ministry of Communications, held at the Conference room of Ministry of Finance, Ilorin, the state capital.

Unveiled as a transformative project, the Managing Director explained that the factory aimed at establishing Kwara as a leading hub for garment manufacturing in Nigeria and beyond.

“This project is not just about manufacturing garments, it is about empowering our people, particularly women and youths, while boosting local production and reducing reliance on imports,” she declared.

Adedeji disclosed that production at the factory began in August 2024 with 245 trained workers, adding that, “when it eventually operates at full capacity, the factory has the potential to employ 4,000 people and produce up to 6,000 garments daily.”

Adding that “state-of-the-art machinery, including the Oshima cutting machine with the capacity of cutting 10,000 outfits in an 8-hour shift, advanced embroidery systems capable of performing 1000 stitches per minute ensures high-quality production and efficiency.

“The factory’s product portfolio includes T-shirts, polo shirts, sports wears, uniforms, aprons and caps, all crafted with a focus on quality, style, and durability.

“We are committed fostering local production and reducing import dependence, the initiative is projected to significantly boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

“Plans are also underway to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), to explore export opportunities across Africa.”

She informed that, the products have already gained recognition and Kwara State Sports Commission been the lead as one of its satisfied customers, with an affirmation that, “our garments are not only well-crafted but also competitively priced, offering excellent value for money.”

She emphasized that the factory’s mission is extended beyond production to include skill development, with workers undergoing consistent training in modern garment making techniques.

Adedeji further noted that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration sees the factory as a cornerstone of the state’s industrialisation strategy.