In Kenya, the association of stakeholders operating in the second-hand clothing sector, the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK), imported more than 198,000 tons of second-hand clothing in 2023.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the reported stock shows an 11.5% increase compared to the 177,600 tons purchased by MCAK the previous year. The purchase bill for this category of clothing increased by 32% year-on-year, reaching $182 million.
This growth in imports is linked to the dynamism of the Kenyan second-hand clothing market. According to authorities, the relatively lower prices of these products have continued to boost demand at the expense of locally manufactured clothing, thanks to the higher margins enjoyed by traders, mainly in informal markets.
Imports of second-hand clothing constitute a source of revenue for Kenya, as an import tax of 35% or $0.40 per kilogram is applied. This sector employs approximately 2 million people.