Built for the partners who build the chain
You process the cotton. You run the mills. CmiA gives you the tools, supply chain access, and brand connections to do it better — and to get recognised for it.
Challenges
Key considerations: built for success
Seamless traceability integration
SCOT handles supply chain documentation from cotton trader to finished product. It plugs into your existing operations — no IT overhaul required. CmiA’s Sustainable Cotton Tracker (SCOT) is the digital backbone of supply chain traceability. Every transaction — purchases, sales, and volumes — is recorded at each stage by registered partners. The system is designed to integrate into existing business operations with minimal setup. The CmiA team supports onboarding from day one, walking your team through registration, data entry, and reporting requirements step by step.
Quality cotton, connected to global markets
CmiA connects registered supply chain partners with an active global network of brands and retailers. Your quality plus a CmiA membership means you are ready for the market! Being a registered CmiA partner means more than compliance. CmiA’s network includes more than 40 trading partners and 2,800 supply chain partners across 50 textile production markets worldwide. Brands sourcing CmiA cotton need registered partners at every stage, from spinning to fabric production and garment manufacturing. Registration in the CmiA system makes your operation visible and credible to buyers already committed to sourcing sustainably verified cotton. The CmiA team supports connections between supply chain partners and sourcing brands where relevant.
Supply chain: how to get involved
For Suppliers and Manufacturers (Yarns, Fabrics, Garments)
Join Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and become part of a fully transparent, traceable supply chain, from cotton to finished product. Strengthen your market access, build trust with international retailers and brands, and showcase your commitment to regenerative practices.
All organisations that produce, treat, trade, or source CmiA cotton or CmiA-labelled products (yarns, fabrics, garments, or comber noils) must register with CmiA.
- Check out the CmiA Membership Guidelines and register online
- Pay the membership fee depending on your company’s setup and chosen chain of custody model. Once the fee is paid, your organisation will receive a membership confirmation valid for one year, a unique membership number, and access to the tracking system.
Companies covering multiple production steps register once and pay a single fee. Spinning mills applying for a CmiA membership must purchase CmiA-verified cotton first. When applying for CmiA Traceable, it is mandatory to pass an onboarding audit verifying full segregation and traceability under the AbTF Cotton Transparency Standard.
| Role in the supply chain | Annual fee for CmiA Traceable (incl. CmiA Mass Balance) | Annual fee for CmiA Mass Balance only |
|---|---|---|
| Spinning mill (buying cotton, producing yarns) | EUR 3,500 | EUR 2,000 |
| Yarn trader or yarn dye house (buying yarns, selling yarns) | EUR 1,000 | EUR 1,000 |
| Fabric producer (buying yarns, producing fabrics) | EUR 1,000 | EUR 1,000 |
| Fabric trader or fabric dye house (buying yarns, selling yarns) | EUR 500 | EUR 500 |
| Garment producer (buying yarns or fabrics, producing garments) | EUR 1,000 | EUR 0 |
| Garment trader (buying garments, selling garments) | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
| Comber producer or comber trader | EUR 1,000 | EUR 1,000 |
By joining CmiA, suppliers and manufacturers gain access to a transparent cotton supply chain and connect with brands and partners seeking verified responsible materials.
Cotton Traders
Cotton traders play a crucial role in bringing cotton to global markets. By joining CmiA, traders ensure that the cotton they handle is traceable through CmiA’s chain of custody system, verifiably compliant with CmiA standards, and meets the sourcing requirements of brands committed to responsible cotton production.
Any supply chain organisation that is involved in buying, selling, or distributing CmiA cotton and has registered with CmiA.
- Check out the Partnership Guidelines and reach out via email to supplychain@abt-foundation.org
- Sign a partnership contract and pay an annual partnership fee to receive a CmiA partnership confirmation and access to the CmiA tracking system.
| Category | Annual cotton-related turnover | Regular partnership fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small | < EUR 200 million | EUR 10,000 |
| Large | > EUR 200 million | EUR 17,000 |
By becoming a CmiA partner, cotton traders gain access to a credible traceability system and a growing network committed to scaling sustainable cotton in global markets.
- Access to an international network of cotton producers and CmiA-registered spinning mills
- Verified traceability of CmiA-verified cotton from farm to buyer
- Strengthened credibility with retailers and brands
Cotton Producers
Cotton producers are at the heart of the Cotton made in Africa standard since they supply cotton grown according to the requirements of the CmiA standard. By joining CmiA, producers ensure their cotton can be verified, traced, and recognised in global markets.
By participating in CmiA, cotton producers receive support in implementing sustainable practices and gain market access for their cotton.
- Independent verification of their cotton production against CmiA criteria
- Process support for implementing sustainable farming practices
- Access to global buyers for CmiA cotton
- Integration into a transparent, traceable supply chain
Network
The CmiA supply chain network
Verified farmers, mills, and brands working together across continents.
~715,000
Farmers in verified supply chains
200+
Mills in 50 markets
60+
Brands sourcing actively
From the mills
Hear from the operations teams making it work.
Common questions about joining and operating within the network
Start with the form above or contact us directly. We'll schedule an intro call to understand your setup, then guide you through the next steps.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint.
Ready to strengthen your operations?
Whether spinning mill, ginnery, or manufacturer — one conversation starts it all.