Textile
ZAMBIA TEXTILE SECTOR KEY FIGURES
| Flagship Reopening | Revitalisation Period | GDP Share (Textiles Sub-Industry) | 2025 Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles | 3 years | 3.8% of manufacturing GDP | +8.4% |
President Hakainde Hichilema officially reopened the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Plant in Kabwe following a three-year revitalisation, positioned by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry as a flagship of the National Industrial Policy in action.
Textiles, clothing and leather products account for 3.8% of manufacturing GDP, growing 8.4% in real terms in 2025, the second-fastest growing manufacturing sub-industry after non-metallic mineral products.
The Mulungushi Textiles Reopening
President Hakainde Hichilema officially reopened the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Plant in Kabwe, marking a major step in Zambia’s industrialisation and economic diversification agenda[1]. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga described the reopening as the result of deliberate policy and sustained leadership, following a three-year revitalisation process involving the Industrial Development Corporation, Chinese partners, and the Ministries of Finance and Defence[1]. Obsolete machinery has been replaced with new, modern equipment, and the Minister said the textile sector is labour intensive with the ability to generate substantial employment along its value chain[1].
Sector Size and Growth
Textiles, clothing and leather products account for 3.8% of Zambia’s manufacturing GDP, at ZMW 2.39 billion in 2025, growing 8.4% in real terms over the year, the second-fastest growing manufacturing sub-industry after non-metallic mineral products[2].
Investment Opportunities
The Mulungushi Textiles reopening, backed by new equipment and framed as a flagship of national industrial policy, alongside the sub-sector’s above-average growth rate, points to textiles as one of the more actively government-supported manufacturing niches for new investment, detailed further on the dedicated Industry page[1][2].
Last Update: September 2026
