The Kingdom of Lesotho Strengthens Textile Industry Vision at CTA–2026 Conference in Ethiopia

The Kingdom of Lesotho took part in the 14th International Conference on Cotton, Textile and Apparel Value Chain in Africa (CTA–2026), held at a major regional platform hosted by Bahir Dar University and the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology. The event gathered policymakers, industry experts, academics, and innovators to discuss the future of Africa’s textile and apparel value chain. Lesotho’s participation highlighted its commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation within Africa. The conference focused on how African countries can improve production capacity and build stronger trade networks. It also provided a platform for exchanging ideas on industrial growth and regional integration.

Delivering a keynote address, Ambassador Ntsiuoa Sekete positioned the textile and apparel sector as a key driver of Africa’s industrialization agenda. She stressed that the sector has strong potential to create employment, support export development, and improve economic resilience across African economies. Her remarks focused on the need to shift away from reliance on raw material exports and instead invest in value addition and manufacturing. She explained that Africa must build stronger production systems that allow countries to benefit more from their own resources. The address reinforced the importance of aligning industrial policy with long term development goals.

Ambassador Sekete called for stronger regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which she described as a major opportunity for industrial expansion. She emphasized that deeper trade integration can help African countries scale production and improve competitiveness in global markets. Her message focused on the need for collaboration between governments, industries, and training institutions. She also highlighted that policy support must be matched with infrastructure development and private sector investment. The discussion reflected a broader push to strengthen intra African trade and reduce dependency on external supply chains.

She further highlighted the importance of sustainability and innovation in shaping the future of the textile and apparel sector across Africa. According to her, renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and Industry 5.0 technologies are essential tools for modern industrial development. These technologies were presented as key drivers of efficiency, productivity, and global competitiveness. She also stressed that education systems must prepare young people with the technical skills needed for modern industries. The focus on innovation reflected the growing need for Africa to adapt to rapidly changing global manufacturing standards.

Lesotho’s textile industry was also a central point in her address, with the Ambassador noting its role as one of the country’s largest sources of employment and export earnings. The sector continues to provide significant opportunities for women and young people, making it a key pillar of inclusive economic development. She emphasized that strengthening this industry can directly support national growth and regional industrial participation. The conference reinforced the importance of long term investment in skills development, manufacturing capacity, and industrial innovation. It concluded with a shared understanding that Africa’s textile future depends on stronger integration, sustainability, and value driven production systems.