Researchers in Uganda are turning banana pseudo-stems, normally left as post-harvest waste, into a spinnable fibre that could substitute for cotton and some synthetic materials. The Banatex-EA (Banana Textiles in East Africa) project at Busitema University has developed methods to soften naturally stiff, coarse banana fibre so it can be spun into thread for cloth, hair extensions and sanitary pads. The project is led by Edwin Kamalha, a lecturer and head of the Department of Polymer, Textile and Industrial Engineering at the university.
The team received UGX175 million from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and an additional A3600,364 from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the SMEP programme. National Agricultural Research Laboratories tested existing banana varieties and found the indigenous Musa or Kayinja variety produced stronger, shinier fibre and yielded more material during extraction, making it particularly suitable for textiles and hair products. The project is working with textile producer TEXFAD to move products to market and with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to develop quality standards.
Despite technical progress, the team faces legal and market obstacles. Uganda has not yet passed a biotechnology bill, which limits options for genetic improvement of banana varieties for fibre. There are also no clear international product identifiers such as harmonised system (HS) codes, which complicates export and market entry. Consumer acceptance is mixed—some users still prefer human hair for durability—and high production costs remain a barrier. Partners are assessing market potential with Moi University in Kenya. Industry figures, including TEXFAD, are optimistic about the fibre’s potential and have trained young people in processing, but a biotechnology consultant warns that strong market demand will be essential to expand production. An update on 29 July 2025 corrected an error in the naming of the funders.
- Technical: soften and spin stiff natural fibre
- Standards: develop quality rules with UNBS
- Market: need HS codes and buyer acceptance
Difficult words
- pseudo-stem — stem-like plant part that supports leavespseudo-stems
- spinnable — able to be twisted into thread or yarn
- substitute — use in place of another material or thing
- synthetic — made by chemical processes, not natural
- extraction — process of removing material from a source
- indigenous — naturally existing in a particular region
- harmonised system — international product classification used for trade
- consumer acceptance — willingness of buyers to use a product
- biotechnology bill — proposed law about biological research and products
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Discussion questions
- Do you think consumers will accept banana-fibre hair extensions and cloth? Give reasons based on durability and appearance.
- What practical steps could reduce production costs and help move these products to export markets?
- How important are quality standards and clear product codes for a new textile product entering international trade?
