\n<\/p>\n
The report, titled “Current Status of Mozambique\u2019s Second-Hand Clothing Market: Opportunities and Challenges,” was commissioned by ADPP Mozambique.<\/p>\n
It assesses global importance of the SHC industry from an economic and environmental standpoint.<\/p>\n
Importantly, the report emphasises that the economic realities of the Global South must be taken into account in the wider discussion regarding the global value of the second-hand clothing trade.<\/p>\n
Insights from the research:<\/strong><\/p>\n – The SHC industry provides direct support to over one million individuals.<\/p>\n – Established vendors within this sector earn $650 on an average per month, far exceeding the national minimum wage of $90.<\/p>\n – A significant portion of the population, at least 85%, depends on SHC for meeting their basic clothing needs.<\/p>\n The sector contributes about $35m in taxes to Mozambique’s budget, which supports critical social programmes, such as healthcare and education.<\/p>\n Mozambique\u2019 former prime minister and Absa Bank Group Board non-executive director, Madame Luisa Diogo, who took part in the high-level panel for the report launch, said: \u201cI warmly welcome this new report, which highlights how vital the SHC industry is for Mozambique\u2019s economy and the well-being of our people.<\/p>\n \u201cThis sector isn\u2019t merely about clothing; it is a source of dignity and opportunity, sustaining families, creating jobs and contributing significant tax revenue toward essential services such as education and healthcare.<\/p>\n \u201cThe report outlines the tangible evidence of wide-ranging benefits the SHC trade brings to Mozambique and the African Continent. It underscores the importance of economic diversity to support both Mozambique and Africa\u2019s growth. I firmly believe that embracing the SHC trade as part of the green economy will be central to achieving Africa\u2019s foremost objectives\u2014poverty reduction, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.\u201d<\/p>\n The study dispels certain myths regarding SHC dumping by highlighting Mozambique’s tradition of clothing reuse, where clothes are often handed down through generations or creatively repurposed by local tailors.<\/p>\n The SHC industry has been particularly transformative for marginalised groups, including women and youth, by providing employment and skill development opportunities that enhance their quality of life.<\/p>\n These findings are consistent with similar research conducted in other Sub-Saharan African countries that are major importers of SHC, such as Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania.<\/p>\n The report also cautions against restrictive trade policies in Europe and Africa that could unintentionally give market advantages to other large exporters such as China, which is flooding markets with low-quality \u2018fast\u2019 fashion items.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n