A new phase of the Partenariat pour le Coton (PPC) has been officially launched on the sidelines of the WTO 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, marking a critical step toward accelerating textile industrialisation across West and Central Africa.
The PPC, first introduced at MC13 in Abu Dhabi, aims to bridge global trade discussions with concrete industrial development by supporting cotton-producing countries in moving up the value chain—from raw fibre exports to textile and garment manufacturing.
From Raw Cotton to Value-Added Production
The initiative targets the so-called C-4+ countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Ivory Coast—where cotton remains a key economic resource. Currently, approximately 98% of the region’s cotton is exported as raw fibre, limiting value creation within local economies.
The new phase of PPC focuses on mobilising investment to transform this structure, positioning the region as a competitive hub for cotton processing, textile production, and garment manufacturing.
Read more: Trützschler Showcases IDF 3 at International Cotton Conference in Bremen
According to World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the region is approaching a turning point in its industrial development. “We are on the cusp of creating a modern textiles and garment industry across West and Central Africa,” she stated during the event.
$5 Billion Investment Target to Drive Growth
PPC analysis indicates that approximately $5 billion in investment and capacity-building support could generate up to 500,000 direct jobs across textile manufacturing, logistics, and related sectors, including fashion design.
The initiative aims to deliver broader economic benefits, particularly for women and youth, while strengthening local industrial ecosystems and reducing dependency on raw material exports.
Launch of ‘Africa Textile Invest’ Platform
As part of the new phase, stakeholders introduced the Africa Textile Invest platform, designed to provide investors with a centralized access point to key information, including country data, industrial zones, and a pipeline of investment opportunities.
Developed with the support of United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the platform is intended to facilitate investment flows and improve transparency across the region’s textile value chain.
UNIDO Managing Director Gunther Berger emphasized that the platform represents a practical step toward translating strategic vision into actionable projects, reinforcing international support for industrial capacity development.
Strong Backing from Financial and Industry Institutions
The initiative has attracted support from a range of financial institutions and industry stakeholders, including African Export-Import Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation.
At the opening of MC14, Afreximbank President George Elombi highlighted the long-term ambition of the initiative, suggesting that Africa could transition from a raw cotton exporter to a major exporter of textiles and garments within the next two decades.
From Strategy to Implementation
Following the completion of its diagnostic phase (2024–2025), which identified priority investment areas across participating countries, the PPC is now entering a crucial implementation stage.
To achieve its targets, stakeholders stress the need for coordinated financing mechanisms, including donor funding, blended finance models, and risk mitigation tools to attract large-scale private investment.
A Strategic Shift for Africa’s Textile Future
The PPC initiative reflects a broader shift in global textile development strategy—moving beyond raw material supply toward integrated value chain development. If successfully implemented, it could significantly reshape Africa’s role in the global textile and apparel industry, unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth, employment, and regional competitiveness.
