Investment in the cotton, textiles, and garments sector has the potential to transform economic development in Central and West Africa, according to speakers at high-level events held on the eve of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Ministers, agency heads, development finance institutions, private sector partners, and FIFA representatives emphasized the opportunity for Africa to move up the cotton value chain and accelerate economic growth. These events also marked the launch of a new phase of the Partenariat pour le Coton (PPC) initiative, focused on mobilizing investment to develop the cotton-to-textile-and-garment sector.
Currently, about 98% of cotton from the region is exported as raw fiber, though the region has strong potential to become a hub for textile and garment processing. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala noted that West and Central Africa are on the verge of creating a modern textile and garment industry. PPC analysis indicates that USD 5 billion in investment and capacity-building could generate roughly 500,000 direct jobs, particularly benefiting women and youth in manufacturing, transport, and fashion design.
The PPC initiative builds on the leadership of the C-4+ countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire—and aims to position the region as a gateway for cotton processing and industrial growth. At the event, the PPC also launched the “Africa Textile Invest” platform, designed to support investors by providing a central access point for country data, industrial zones, and investment opportunities. UNIDO’s Managing Director Gunther Berger highlighted the platform as a tool to turn the C-4+ vision into practical action and strengthen industrial capacity across the value chain.
Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, stressed that value addition is critical for African cotton, noting that private-sector investment through the partnership will help farmers and small businesses capture more value domestically. Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, along with other C-4+ ministers and private sector representatives, underscored the initiative’s potential to drive inclusive growth.
Other contributors to the discussions included organizations such as Gherzi Textile Organisation, the Bank of Industry, Arise IIP, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, and Scan-Thor. Afreximbank’s President, Dr. George Elombi, stated that within 15 to 20 years, Africa could shift from exporting raw cotton to exporting textiles and garments, retaining more economic value on the continent.
The events also featured the unveiling of FIFA Football for Schools apparel produced from African cotton, as well as a cotton-themed fashion show organized by the ITC and WTO. Designers from the C-4+ countries, Nigeria, and Cameroon showcased their work, alongside demonstrations by traditional cotton artisans and jewellers.
Launched at the WTO’s MC13 in Abu Dhabi, the PPC bridges discussions on cotton’s development dimension with tangible industrialization and investment efforts. The initiative aims to mobilize USD 5 billion over 10 years, generating USD 6 billion in value-added products and positioning the region as a competitive gateway for cotton and textiles. Following a diagnostic phase in 2024-2025, the PPC is entering an implementation phase requiring donor funding, blended finance, and risk mitigation tools. The MC14 conference provides an opportunity to reinforce commitment, catalyze investment, and accelerate the emergence of an integrated regional cotton-textile ecosystem.
