Vlisco Group Signs MoU with FG to Operate Across Cotton, Fashion Sector

Vlisco Group, a Dutch textile and design company, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government of Nigeria, creating a platform for significant expansion in Africa’s largest economy.

The Nigerian government in December 2014 approved a major revitalisation and reform of its Cotton, Textiles and Garment (CTG) sector.

This will catalyse growth and jobs in Nigeria across the entire value-chain from cotton to fashion.

The path finding Memorandum of Understanding between the Vlisco Group and the Nigerian government details wide-ranging collaboration and support.

Vlisco Group intends to offer Nigeria’s 188m consumers its four brands-Woodin, Vlisco, Uniwax and GTP.

The Group will participate across the sector value chain from sourcing of cotton, textile printing, wholesale, retail and e-commerce distribution, garment manufacturing and supporting and promoting Nigerian fashion designers.

The MoU is expected to yield benefits for the Nigerian economy in terms of economic diversification and job creation in line with the Government’s Industrial Revolution strategy. Vlisco Group’s activities are expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs in Nigeria in the medium term.

Olusegun Aganga, minster of Industry, Trade and Investment, while commenting on the MoU said, ”The Government of Nigeria is delighted to welcome this investment and partnership from the Vlisco Group into Nigeria. We are determined to rebuild this historically important sector with its job creation impact across the entire value chain from cotton fields to fashion. We are looking forward to implementing this strategic partnership with the Vlisco Group”.

Also in a remark, Hans Ouwendijk, CEO of Vlisco Group said, “We commend the Nigerian Government for its focus on revitalising this critical sector. The new policy enables the Vlisco Group to invest in Nigeria and to contribute to the building of a vibrant CTG sector. Nigeria is Africa’s largest consumer market and the opportunity to fully deploy our brands and business models in Nigeria provides a major boost to our growth ambition.”

Actis, as the majority shareholder in Vlisco Group, fully supports the Nigerian Government’s strategy for revitalising the textile sector.

FashSawyerr, Director at Actis LLP said, “We applaud the Nigerian government’s focus on revitalising its CTG sector and diversifying its economy. We believe this significant agreement with Vlisco Group will be highly beneficial to Nigeria, job creation and to the Vlisco Group. We will provide our support to both parties to develop the intended benefits and economic impact across the textile value chain in Nigeria.”

The Vlisco Group designs, produces and distributes fashion fabrics for the West and Central African market and African consumers in global metropolitan cities.

Founded in Helmond, the Netherlands, in 1846, the Vlisco Group and their fabrics have grown into an essential part of African culture, receiving widespread attention from the art, design and fashion worlds.

Vlisco Group’s brand portfolio consists of 4 brands: Vlisco, Woodin, Uniwax and GTP. The company’s head office is located in Helmond as well as the design- and production facilities for the Vlisco brand.