Cotton High-Level Event at MC14

Why It Matters

Transforming raw cotton into finished textiles will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, boost export revenues, and reduce Africa’s reliance on commodity exports, reshaping the continent’s economic trajectory.

Key Takeaways

• Africa aims to shift 25% of cotton to local processing by 2030.
• $5 billion partnership targets half‑million new jobs in textile sector.
• African Export‑Import Bank pledges billions to end raw‑bale exports by 2040.
• Arise to invest $700 million in cotton‑linked industrial parks.
• FIFA and designers showcase African‑grown cotton in sports and high‑fashion events.

Summary

The MC14 Cotton High‑Level Event brought together WTO officials, banks, industry groups, farmers and even FIFA to chart a new roadmap for Africa’s cotton sector.

Africa is the world’s fourth‑largest cotton producer, yet 98 % of its output leaves the continent as raw bales. The Porla Cotton partnership, led by the WTO and Yunido, announced a US$5 billion investment plan that could process more than a quarter of African cotton locally within ten years, creating roughly 500,000 jobs.

Key players pledged support: the African Export‑Import Bank committed billions in loans to end raw‑bale exports by 2040; the African Development Bank and the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation joined the financing pool; Arise announced a US$700 million industrial‑park program; FIFA will distribute 80,000 Benin‑made jerseys; and the ITC staged a fashion catwalk featuring cotton‑based designs from Cameroon and Nigeria.

If realized, the initiative would keep more value‑added activity on the continent, diversify export earnings, and spur industrial growth, positioning African cotton as a competitive input for global apparel supply chains.

Original Description

From field to factory, and fashion to football, African Cotton was in the spotlight at MC14. Events in Cameroon brought together stakeholders to highlight cotton's importance to global trade and investment opportunities, particularly for Central and West African countries looking to move up the value chain.

Download this video from the WTO website:

https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm