Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi Engages Achukwu In Talks About Relocating To China

Aba in Abia State has long been regarded as the powerhouse of Nigeria’s garment and textile industry, with the Ariaria International Market standing as one of the largest trading hubs in West Africa. The market is believed to generate billions of dollars in monthly trade, supplying fabrics and finished clothing to designers and retailers nationwide.

During the discussion, Achukwu explained that Aba served as an important early source for her fashion brand, noting that her initial batches of fabrics were sourced from the city. However, she emphasized that while Aba remains valuable, limitations around production scale and exclusivity influenced her gradual shift toward China.

She explained that China offers advantages in terms of bulk production capacity and fabric exclusivity, adding that designers can access custom printing and avoid the issue of duplicated fabrics often experienced in local markets. According to her, these factors are critical for brands operating at large volumes and seeking unique designs.

China currently dominates global textile manufacturing, accounting for a significant share of worldwide fabric exports, and provides infrastructure that supports minimum order quantities and proprietary production—capabilities that local markets like Aba are still developing at scale.

Despite sourcing materials internationally, Achukwu stressed that her brand maintains production within Nigeria. She revealed that Zephans & CO sells over 35,000 pieces annually, all produced locally, highlighting a balance between global sourcing and domestic manufacturing in her business model.