The African Cotton Foundation (ACF) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainable, competitive, and inclusive growth of the African textile value chain. As global supply chains evolve and investors seek resilient sources of supply, the next strategic step is clear: Africa must strengthen its local transformation capacities and accelerate value creation on the continent.
The main mission of the ACF is to improve the livelihoods of farmers and agricultural communities, while protecting the environment in which they live and work. Cotton remains one of Africa’s most strategic agricultural raw materials (more than 1.2 million tons produced annually), generating income for millions of farmers and supporting rural economies across the continent. Yet, a significant portion of African cotton continues to be exported in raw form, limiting industrial expansion, job creation, and value retention. Transforming more cotton locally – into yarn, fabric, and finished garments – is not only an economic opportunity; it is also a strategic imperative for competitiveness.
The ACF believes that the development of a dynamic and integrated cotton-apparel industry in Africa represents a sector with high investment potential. With growing regional markets, improving infrastructure, and increasing demand for sustainable sourcing, Africa is well positioned to establish itself as a strategic hub for textile manufacturing.
In this context, the ACF welcomes the recent increase in exports to European markets from new African textile factories, particularly from countries such as Benin, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria, which it sees as a tangible sign of strengthening Africa’s manufacturing production capacities. At a time when European markets heavily rely on Asian textile imports, African products provide a credible and affordable alternative that combines sustainability, geographical proximity, and competitiveness.
By advancing these priorities, the ACF works to ensure that African cotton is not only grown on African soil, but also transformed, designed, marketed under a brand, and competitively placed in the market from the continent.
Supporting the emergence of a strong African textile value chain is both an economic and strategic opportunity. It enables value creation, industrial diversification, youth employment, and economic empowerment of women, while strengthening supply chain resilience for global partners.
As a coordination platform, the ACF is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to make this vision a reality.
Vrevue Belinda
