Unprecedented Demand for Cotton made in Africa’s Cotton

(Hamburg, 11 May 2021) In 2020, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) was able to improve on the previous year’s gains, resulting in a record turnover of 276 million textiles bearing the red CmiA label. This benefits over one million small-scale farmers in Africa who are growing cotton in accordance with CmiA’s sustainability criteria. Cotton made in Africa is one of the world’s leading standards for sustainably produced cotton from Africa. CmiA-verified raw cotton is in greater demand than ever, with some 60 retailers and brands bringing more than 276 million CmiA-labelled textiles to market in 2020 — a 120-percent increase over the previous year. CmiA was also able to significantly expand within the textile value chain, with its global network of registered partners rising by 58 percent to reach a total of 217 spinning mills and fabric producers throughout 20 countries, including eight in Africa. “This growing demand is especially good news because it gives us more resources for our work in the field. Our principle of providing aid through trade is paying off,” says Tina Stridde, the managing director of the Aid by Trade Foundation, commenting on Cotton made in Africa’s progress. Around 630,000 tonnes of ginned cotton from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, Chad, and Uganda were produced in accordance with Cotton made in Africa’s criteria in the past year. More than 20 African cotton companies are working together with the Cotton made in Africa initiative to conduct agricultural training for small-scale farmers. The knowledge they acquire through this training enables the cotton growers to improve their harvests while cultivating this commodity in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.

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About the Aid by Trade Foundation & Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) The Cotton made in Africa initiative was founded by Dr Michael Otto in 2005. Established by the Hamburg-based Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), Cotton made in Africa is an internationally recognised standard for sustainably produced cotton from Africa, connecting African small-scale farmers with trading companies and fashion brands throughout the global textile value chain. The initiative’s objective is to employ trade rather than donations to offer help for self-help in order to improve the living conditions of around one million cotton farmers and their families in Sub-Saharan Africa while protecting the environment. The small-scale farmers benefit from training and better working conditions, and additional social projects enable their children to attend school. Female small-scale farmers are supported in pursuing professional and social independence. Learn more at: cottonmadeinafrica.org

Press Contact for Cotton made in Africa Isabelle Thoele Tel.: +49 40 2576 75522 Email: isabelle.thoele@abt-foundation.org www.cottonmadeinafrica.org