Ethiopia’s Economy Could Be Boosted By Home-Grown African Cotton

Experts at the 9th Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and the COMPACI Stakeholder Conference in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa have pushed for the host nation to the develop the entire textile value chain instead of just exporting cotton, according to a press release by Aid by Trade Foundation. The CmiA is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation.

Earlier this year, Ethiopia became a member of the CmiA group of countries. According to American multinational management consulting firm McKinsey, is a textile production location with a high potential for growth.

Tadesse Haile, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Industry who inaugurated the conference, hailed the impressive collaboration of Cotton made in Africa and COMPACI with thousands of smallholder cotton farmers throughout Africa who are creating an indispensable foundation for the development of the growing cotton industry.

Jaswinder Bedi, Managing Director of African Cotton and Textiles Industries Federation (ACTIF), also emphasized the immense significance that the development of the textile value chains has in Africa, since it gives millions of people job opportunities and thus prevents social disasters that would force people to flee to Europe.

The conference discussed activities to promote women and the use of bio-pesticides. Another topic was the development of the Farmer Business Schools that convey basic business concepts to the CmiA smallholder farmers and promote their economic autonomy.

Tina Stridde, Managing Director of Cotton made in Africa, summed up the conference, saying, “We are pleased, with CmiA in Ethiopia, to supply the basis for a textile industry in which sustainability plays a crucial role from the fields all the way to the product. This can contribute to better value creation in Ethiopia and help millions of people gain employment and prosperity.” (SH)

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