Simba Apparel Exporting Processing Zone (EPZ) in collaboration with the United States Agency Development is projecting to employ over 20,000 youth and women by the end of 2025 as it expands its production to meet the increasing demand for garments.
Speaking during the launch of the modern 26,220 square feet facility dubbed “green building” at the Simba Apparel EPZ limited on Wednesday, Mombasa County, US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, noted that such partnerships facilitate the creation of jobs as well as building a foundation for long-term economic growth between Kenya and the United States citing that an amount totaling $330million has been allocated by the US government to facilitate Apparel Opportunities.
“The US investment in the Kenya Apparel sector has unlocked $ 330 million in apparel export opportunities and will create more than 20,000 jobs by the end of next year, especially for women and the Youth,” highlighted Whitman.
Furthermore, she noted that the initiative has seen Simba Apparel adopting cutting-edge green technology hence reducing its Carbon footprint and boosting its production capacity creating a greater future for Kenya’s workforce and the global market.
On his part, County governor, Abdulswammad Shariff Nassir commended the two organizations for their collective efforts through the partnership which began in the year 2023 highlighting that the move has seen a significant shift in the employment sector especially within Mombasa County.
“I acknowledge the USAID for facilitating this initiative which has increased the number of people who are going to be on a payroll, which means fewer unemployed people on the streets of Mombasa,” said Nassir.
Additionally, he assured that the County government will liaise with the National government on matters of the cost of power considering that the facility includes an installation of modern production equipment and Solar Panels.
Furthermore, the Director, Simba Apparel EPZ, Janardanan Myliyat, highlighted that the initiative has created employment for over 1,700 workers and is projecting a production of 1 million units per month by December 2024 citing a significant increase of 800,000 units from 500,000units per month since the USAID partnership.
“We started running a night shift and added four new production lines to cater for the current high demand from our buyers,” highlighted Myliyat.
In addition, he announced that the organisation has established a satellite factory in Nairobi County with eight production lines that are exclusively creating garments for Simba Apparel thus employing at least 700 people.
Simba Apparel EPZ specializes in the manufacture of men’s and women’s fashion wear, casual wear, work wear, hospital wear and hospitality wear.
By Nuru Soud
