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Benin Expands Cotton Processing as GDIZ Produces Millions of Garments
GDIZ processes about 40,000 tons of cotton a year into 7 million to 10 million garments, helping Benin keep more value at home.
- Benin is transforming its cotton industry by moving toward domestic value addition through a partnership with infrastructure developer Arise IIP, shifting away from exporting raw materials to Bangladesh.
- As Africa's top cotton producer, Benin relies on a network of at least 183,746 farmers across 2,206 village cooperatives, producing 1.15 million bales of cotton between 2025 and 2026.
- Smallholder farmer Toussaint Bapetem finds cotton more profitable than corn, which fetches about $0.20 per kilogram, using earnings since 2024 to 'take care of my family and ensure my children's education,' he said.
- The Glo-Djigb Industrial Zone, located 45 kilometers from Cotonou, processes about 40,000 tons of cotton to produce between 7 and 10 million garments annually, reducing Benin's current account deficit from 6.2% in 2024 to 5.7% in 2025.
- Based in Parakou, entrepreneur Fatoumata Dosso promotes the 'Made in Benin' brand at international fashion shows, representing an ambition to keep more value of Africa's largest cotton producer at home.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
Benin Targets 140,000 Tonnes in Cotton Processing Push
Quick Summary: Benin Targets 140,000 Tonnes in Cotton Processing Push Benin aims to transform its cotton industry by processing more locally — currently, only 5% of its cotton is turned into goods domestically. The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone is central to this push — it spans 16 square kilometers and aims to handle a significant portion […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Left
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
63% Left
L 63%
C 25%
12%
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