Nigerian Textile Industry In Need Of Efficiency Drive

Posted on 10. Feb, 2009 by Ross in Africa, Textiles

Nigeria’s textile industry has recently undergone a massive decline. The once-booming sector boasted over 140 firms but now that number is down to 45: only 20 of which are currently operating and even they are producing below their maximum potential. Despite issues with fake imports and transport infrastructure, the problem of energy efficiency was first out of the blocks in an interview given by industry consultant Felix Adeduro to Punch, Nigeria’s most widely-read newspaper.

“We have the problem of power situation, which has made production highly expensive beyond what the economy can absorb”, Mr Adeduro said. “We also have the problem of the capacity of the existing operators – they are still operating on old systems and capacity that cannot make them competitive in the present textile world. The reason is that when you are looking at industries running on equipment manufactured in the 1960‘s and 1970‘s, there is no way you can produce efficiently and effectively. So, anything they produce will definitely be expensive and will not be as good as what is produced outside there. That is the major challenge they are having. A very low percentage of the operating firms run on modern equipment.”

Nigeria’s textile industry is not alone in their turmoil. Industries across Africa are being plagued by crippling energy shortages and tempestuous energy prices, and old equipment multiplies the effect of these factors. The Integra Motor Controller from Somar International Ltd is able to help reduce these effects upon manufacturers by making the electric motors powering machinery much more energy efficient, as well as reducing wear and tear on the motors and extending their operational lifetimes. The substantial savings afforded by Integra mean that Return on Investment periods are on average only 18 months, helping businesses boost profitability and competitiveness.