Home/Fashion

Fashion

Fashion and textiles in Zambia, from the salaula second-hand clothing trade to local design, manufacturing and the economics behind what Zambians wear.

Diagram of the salaula supply chain from donation in Europe and North America through sorting and baling, import and clearance, market traders and finally tailors and wearers, with a timeline of the East African Community attempt to ban used clothing imports between 2016 and 2018.

Business & Economy

Salaula: The Economics of Zambia’s Second-Hand Clothing Trade

Where the value is added, who it employs, and what happened when East Africa tried to ban the trade.

TEThe Zambian Economist · 28 Jul 2026 · 6 min read