Nigeria’s laundry industry has significant potential for economic development, driven by the growing urban population and rising demand for laundry services, according to Samuel Odenusi, Head of Commercial Laundry Business at LG Electronics in West Africa. Speaking at a masterclass for dry cleaners, organized by the CleanAce Foundation and Academy in partnership with LG Electronics, Odenusi emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly environment to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“As urban populations expand, the value of the laundry industry continues to rise,” Odenusi noted. He called for better infrastructure to support SMEs, which would generate wealth and employment opportunities in Nigeria. LG’s collaboration with CleanAce Academy aims to equip dry cleaners with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in this growing industry. “The value of the industry is enormous and continues to grow yearly due to the increasing demand for laundry services,” he added.
Chairman of the Fabricare Professionals and Dry Cleaners Association (FPDA), Enibikun Adebayo, projected that the industry, currently valued at $1.8 billion in 2024, could expand to $3 billion over the next decade. He highlighted the launch of the first and largest laundry exhibition in Nigeria, a key initiative to shift public perception of the industry and attract more interest, especially from younger generations.
Adebayo urged the government to support the industry by providing funding through the Bank of Industry to assist aspiring dry cleaners with capital and equipment. He emphasized that the laundry sector, one of the largest employers of labor in the country, has the potential to create even more jobs. Adebayo also encouraged universities to collaborate with the laundry industry to offer vocational courses, enabling more people to become self-employed.
The industry experts called for government backing to promote investment in the laundry sector, which they believe can be a significant driver of employment and economic growth. Adebayo concluded, “We need the government to create an environment that encourages younger people to explore opportunities in this industry.”