The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has launched a high-stakes investment offensive in the United States, targeting global textile titans to anchor Ghana’s burgeoning apparel sector.
This follows a strategic delegation from the Authority descending upon the textile hubs of Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina to convince American & Efird (A&E) and Kontoor Brands – the powerhouses behind Wrangler and Lee – that Ghana is the definitive frontier for the next phase of global garment manufacturing.
Led by Mr. Lateef Apau Wiredu, Deputy CEO in charge of Operations at the GFZA, and accompanied by senior officials from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), the delegation presented a sophisticated “plug-and-play” industrial model.
“The first leg of the mission focused on American & Efird (A&E), a global leader in premium sewing and embroidery threads. Engaging with senior management led by Mr. Robert Hallett, Vice President of the US Global Retail Solutions Team, the Ghanaian delegation highlighted a critical gap in the local market.
“While garment production in Ghana is soaring, the country still relies heavily on imported technical textiles and high-quality threads”
GFZA
By leveraging the Free Zones regime, Ghana is pitching itself not just as a destination for low-cost assembly, but as a fully integrated hub capable of sustaining complex global supply chains.
The establishment of an A&E manufacturing base in Ghana would be a game-changer. As a subsidiary of Elevate Textiles, A&E operates in 22 countries, and its presence in Ghana would effectively “insource” a vital component of the apparel value chain, reducing lead times for local factories and enhancing the “Made in Ghana” brand.
$2.6 Billion Global Apparel Market
The delegation’s move to Greensboro to meet with Kontoor Brands represented a shift toward attracting “anchor” retailers.
Received by Mr. Ezio Garciamendez, EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer, the GFZA presented the competitive advantages of the Ghanaian landscape. Kontoor, with annual revenues of $2.6 billion, manages a best-in-class supply chain involving over 200 factories worldwide.
For Ghana, a partnership with the owners of Wrangler and Lee would provide the high-volume demand necessary to scale the domestic industry. The discussions centered on Ghana’s unique “triple threat,” of advantages: absolute political stability, investor-friendly policies, and duty-free access to the US market under existing trade protocols.
“Kontoor represents the kind of global apparel leader Ghana is keen to partner with as it positions itself as a competitive hub for textile and garment manufacturing in Africa”
GFZA
The Authority noted that this mission was not a solitary effort by the GFZA. The presence of Mr. Kwame Kesse-Agyepong (GIPC) and Mr. Tim Armstrong (TBI) signaled a unified government front.
The delegation emphasized that the Bright International Free Zone Enclave and other specialized parks are ready to host these giants, offering tax holidays and streamlined regulatory approvals.
By targeting North Carolina – historically the heart of the American textile industry – Ghana is positioning itself to receive the technology transfer and technical expertise that these US firms have refined over a century.
As the global fashion industry looks for alternatives to traditional Asian manufacturing hubs, Ghana’s proximity to Europe and the US, combined with its strategic role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), makes it an irresistible proposition.
The GFZA’s proactive engagement in the USA is a calculated move to ensure that when global brands look to Africa, Ghana is the first and only choice. The mission concluded with high expectations for follow-up site visits from both A&E and Kontoor Brands, as Ghana prepares to stitch itself permanently into the fabric of global fashion.
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