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Cotton, Textiles and Apparel
Many consider the Cotton, Textiles and Apparel (CTA) value chain in East and Southern Africa to hold the key to regional prosperity. There have been a number of positive developments that position the Cotton Textiles and Apparel sector to be a leading growth sector in the region. These include:
- Existence of a Regional Trade Association (RTA), the African Cotton and Textiles Industries Federation (ACTIF) which brings together firms and key players in the CTA value chain established in 2006 as regional industry platform and voice.
- Prioritization by COMESA, of Cotton, Textiles and Apparel as a key sector resulting in the definition of an integrated regional Cotton, Textiles and Apparel strategy (with ACTIF input) as a basis to inform the development of a regionally vertically integrated and competitive CTA sector.
- Development of web-based market information systems (such as www.Cottonafrica.com) that have facilitated linkages enabling increased intra- and extra-regional trade to occur.
- Linkages between ACTIF and key global players such as ICAC and IFTM as well as associations in Asia providing a platform for global networking for ACTIF and its members.
- Preferential access to the U.S. market under AGOA.
High transportation costs, lack of connectivity, phytosanitary issues and protectionism and tariffs are among the challenges that need to be addressed to make the Cotton, Textiles and Apparel sector more competitive.
