Egypt's goal of increasing annual textile and garment exports to $20bn by 2030 is still achievable but requires a new strategy to accelerate export growth and integrate more Egyptian companies into global value and supply chains. According to Mahmoud Ghazal, Member of the Textile Industries Chamber and Chairperson of Nile Textile Industries (NTI), Egypt's strategic location, trade agreements, and proximity to major consumer markets provide a strong foundation for achieving the target.
Ghazal noted that securing around 5% of the global textile and garment market could bring Egypt's exports to $20bn. This would require expanding the country's exporter base and increasing the number of local companies capable of joining international supply chains. Egyptian ready-made garment exports reached approximately $2.525bn during January-August 2026, up 16% year-on-year. Exports to European markets increased 26% to $1.087bn, while exports to Spain jumped 61% to $227m.
However, Ghazal warned that the current growth trajectory would not be sufficient to reach the 2030 target. Estimates suggest exports could reach only around $4bn without a significant acceleration. He emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for future export growth, with the number of ready-made garment exporters rising to 749 companies in the first seven months of 2026, from 722 a year earlier.
Ghazal identified that increasing the number of exporters alone is insufficient; more Egyptian companies need to participate in global production through direct exports, original equipment manufacturing (OEM), and private-label manufacturing. Supporting SMEs, strengthening their production capabilities, and connecting them with international contracts and supply chains would broaden Egypt's export base and increase local value addition.
Achieving the $20bn target will ultimately require a clear implementation strategy, expanded production capacity, new markets, and deeper integration into global value chains. Ghazal's comments highlight the need for a more focused approach to drive growth in the textile and garment sector. Egypt's textile industry has shown resilience, but a more concerted effort is needed to achieve the ambitious target.
The growth of SMEs is seen as a key driver of future export growth. With the right support and strategy, these enterprises can play a significant role in increasing Egypt's textile and garment exports. By integrating more companies into global supply chains, Egypt can increase its share of the global market and move closer to the $20bn target.
The Egyptian government and industry leaders will need to work together to develop and implement a strategy that supports the growth of the textile and garment sector. This will involve investing in production capacity, exploring new markets, and providing support to SMEs to help them compete in the global market. With a clear plan and concerted effort, Egypt may still be able to achieve its ambitious target.
Key points
- Egypt's textile exports need to grow significantly to reach the $20bn target by 2030.
- Supporting SMEs and integrating more Egyptian companies into global value chains is crucial for achieving the target.
- A clear implementation strategy and expanded production capacity are necessary to drive growth in the textile and garment sector.
