GHANA – DTRT, West Africa’s largest clothing manufacturer has partnered with IFC to build an integrated textile value chain.
Under the agreement, IFC will support DTRT (“Do the Right Thing”) to pursue the development of a sustainable fabric mill and the expansion of the garment manufacturing factory near its operating base in Accra, Ghana.
IFC’s team will also explore the potential for the company to produce synthetic fibers and yarns (including from recycled materials) seeking to advance West Africa’s position as an increasingly competitive global textiles cluster.
Founded in 2013, DTRT operates West Africa’s largest apparel factory, located in central Accra, which is supported by business development and sourcing teams in the U.S. and China.
The company offers textile and apparel development and manufacturing services via a unique global supply chain platform, allowing it to deliver quality, timely, high-value, and environmentally friendly solutions for large US and European apparel brands.
The platform is a leader in sustainable water-free fabric applications and is deeply committed to improving the lives of its local workers, their families, and their communities
DTRT currently employs more than 3,000 staff (predominantly women) at its existing factory in Ghana, making it one of the country’s largest private-sector employers.
Despite challenging conditions brought on by COVID-19, the company retained all of its staff throughout the pandemic by pivoting to producing personal protective equipment to support Ghana’s frontline workers.
The company increased its sales by 25 percent in 2021 relative to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
“Our experience with the pandemic taught us that Africa must and can depend on itself and can build an integrated textile industry right here in West Africa to support that goal,” said Marc Hansult, DTRT’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO.
Despite efforts to enhance local value addition, West Africa lacks an integrated textiles value chain and more advanced manufacturing processes.
The agreement with DTRT is part of IFC’s strategy to create new markets, increased exports, and more and better jobs in the West African textiles sector.
“West Africa has an opportunity to become the next global textiles and apparel manufacturing hub, tapping into a US$1.5 trillion global market,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Ghana.
The region’s improving economic environments, affordable labor costs, improved and efficient ports, and short transit times to Europe and American markets combine to give the region significant comparative advantages relative to other regions globally.
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