Eye on Africa: Cheap Imports and The Battle for the Nigerian Fashion Market

Walk through any major market in Nigeria, and you’ll see it: racks of second-hand clothes and ultra-cheap imported garments dominate the scene. These products, often from China and Western second-hand markets, flood local shelves at prices Nigerian designers simply can’t match.

While they provide affordable clothing for many, the long-term impact is troubling. Imported clothing undercuts local brands, discourages investment in homegrown businesses and dilutes cultural pride in Nigerian fashion.

Talented local designers—crafting unique, high-quality pieces—are left competing in a race they were never equipped to win. And when consumers opt for cheap imports, it sends a message: foreign is better.

But this is changing. A rising movement is encouraging people to “Buy Nigerian” and support locally made fashion that reflects identity, skill, and sustainability. With stronger trade protections, public awareness, and incentives for local production, Nigeria can level the playing field and protect its creative economy.

Tags: #Support Local Brands #Africa Fashion #Buy African #Sustainable Style

Adaobi Promise is a fashion entrepreneur, certified project manager, and humanitarian dedicated to empowering women and girls through style, education, and opportunity. As founder of a fashion / mercantile business and an NGO, she creates clothing that inspires confidence and self-expression.

She also serves on the Women’s Leadership Committee of LetsMakeTheDifference.org, a global network advancing equity and opportunity. Through this partnership, Adaobi contributes to stories and initiatives featured in the Nashville paper, helping amplify voices driving change worldwide.Connect through FB