Innovations in African Textile Fabric Productions: Implications and the way forward

Abstract

African fabrics play vital roles, apart from serving for beautification and protection, African fabrics also send coded messages and signals. However, the obsolete technology used in producing many African fabrics has impeded competitiveness and proper recognition in the global market, it is therefore necessary to incorporate technological standards with conventional wearing and designing processes to the end that African fabrics still expresses the African cultural heritage at the same time being aligned to world standards and requirements. Technology can be applied in the use of computers for designing, automated looms, production of smart fabrics which can be used as life jackets, vests and as sport wears. There is however the need to increase the competitiveness and global recognition of African fabrics by fully embracing technological standards in fabric production and colourations. It was suggested among others that Africans must seriously consider the complete transition from the use of manual vertical and horizontal looms to high automated looms. Natives can be trained on how to operate high speed automated looms so that high production is obtained as well as a full symbolized culture