Better Cotton, the world's largest cotton sustainability initiative, is teaming up with Afreximbank to conduct sustainability assessments in West and Central Africa. This initiative aims to understand the needs of smallholder farmers in the region and implement tailored interventions for sustainable and regenerative cotton production.
With a combined engagement of 200,000 farmers and farm workers in Mali and Cote d’Ivoire, Better Cotton's collaboration with Afreximbank is set to make significant strides.
This partnership aligns with broader efforts led by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and FIFA to support the cotton-to-textile value chain in the region. The recent formation of the 'Partenariat pour le Coton' coalition emphasizes the need for investment to enhance local processing capacities and maximize economic returns.
Better Cotton's assessments, conducted with support from its Programme Partners, aim to link farming communities with the WTO and FIFA's mission. Alan McClay, CEO of Better Cotton, highlighted Africa's importance in cotton production and the organization's commitment to sustainable economic development.
Kanayo Awani, EVP of Afreximbank, emphasized their dedication to supporting smallholder farmers and the cotton value chain, aiming for higher sustainability, quality, and global market potential. This partnership signifies a crucial step towards a more sustainable future for cotton production in the region.
