Can SDGs for Better Fashion Work in Africa?

The fashion industry stands as one of the largest contributors to the global climate and ecological crisis. It is nature-intensive, heavily dependent on fossil fuels, polluting throughout its value chain, and extremely wasteful. Built on a culture of overproduction and overconsumption, the industry relies on an underpaid workforce that faces discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and harassment. Recent studies indicate the industry accounts for 2-8% of global carbon emissions, with authoritative reports settling on 4%. Given its broad impact, the fashion sector intersects with numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Models male African kids in a fashion shop  [ photo CreditiL KFW]

Countries worldwide have been working to help their communities understand both general fashion principles and sustainable fashion practices to protect the planet. The SDGs for Better Fashion initiative, launched in January 2018 and running until December 2030, exemplifies these efforts. Currently, the program operates in the United States, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil.

The situation in Africa presents a stark contrast. While African countries continue to receive large quantities of second-hand clothing, there's little emphasis on fashion education compared to Western nations. "We have been saying this over and over again. While other countries are teaching their children about SDGs for better fashion, some of us haven't even begun to introduce fashion into our high school curriculum," note fashion experts in the region.

Sustainable Collections by Lina Mayorga

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The environmental and social implications of fashion production and disposal make it crucial to integrate the 17 SDGs into this industry. This integration aims to create a fully sustainable model that benefits both people and ecosystems. According to initiative leaders, the primary goal is to address environmental and social issues related to clothing production and consumption through multiple strategies: implementing sustainable design practices, promoting eco-friendly technologies, improving resource management throughout the textile supply chain, developing new business models, and engaging consumers to adopt better consumption habits.

However, implementing sustainable fashion practices in Africa faces significant challenges. "Sustainable fashion requires collaboration in Africa – it's not something anyone can achieve alone. While we could introduce these concepts in our schools and communities, we consistently face budget constraints and lack specialists to design affordable curriculum," explains a fashion expert.

The SDGs for Better Fashion initiative primarily engages with university-level fashion design students, recognizing them as future market leaders. The program also works with companies through industry events, conferences, and tailored workshops, helping fashion and textile businesses align their sustainability initiatives with SDG objectives.

Sustainable collections by Lina Mayorga

Consumer engagement forms another crucial component of the program. Through public lectures and exhibitions, the initiative works to educate and influence consumer behavior, recognizing that public participation is essential for sustainable practices to succeed. The program operates under a mutual adjustment model, with staff members working interdependently and maintaining regular communication about progress and achievements.

Sustainable collection by Lina Mayorga

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