GDIZ welcomes key players from Africa’s cotton sector !
From 11th to 13th September, Aid by Trade Foundation held a regional workshop in Cotonou, gathering 34 representatives from Africa’s cotton industry. Key players from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Cameroon, and Togo took part in the event. This workshop brought together major players such as SODECO, SOFITEX, Ivoire Coton and SECO.
Following discussions on the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative, participants visited Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ). They had the opportunity to witness innovative cotton processing methods at Benin Textile (B-Tex), GDIZ’s first integrated textile unit, where cotton is transformed into “Made in Benin” yarn, towels, and bedsheets.
GDIZ continues to play a leading role in transforming the textile industry in Benin and beyond, strengthening partnerships and showcasing the potential of African cotton on the global stage. GDIZ remains committed to positioning Benin as a key player in the cotton supply chain while supporting economic growth and sustainable development.
A delegation of African Cashew Alliance (ACA) visit GDIZ
Benin hosted the annual conference of the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) from September 17 to 19, 2024, at Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou. The event, with the theme “Building capacity for a sustainable african cashew industry,” brought together key players from the cashew industry in Africa with the aim of promoting the sector, making it globally competitive, and discussing strategies to ensure its sustainability.
The African Cashew Alliance (ACA), which has over 130 member companies spanning the entire cashew value chain, plays a crucial role in promoting a competitive and sustainable industry.
Present at the official opening ceremony, Benin’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mrs. Alimatou Shadiya ASSOUMAN, highlighted the concerning fact that less than 10% of the cashew produced on the African continent is processed locally.
In addition to the discussions, participants of this conference visited Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) on September 20, 2024. During the visit, they witnessed Benin’s efforts in local processing of its raw materials, particularly cashew nuts. They were able to observe up close the modern infrastructure and the five units dedicated to cashew processing within GDIZ, showcasing the country’s progress in adding value to its resources locally.
