Stronger partnerships for the cotton trade

His Excellency Mr. Abdulaye Bio Tchane, Minister of State for Development and Coordination of Government Action;

H E Alimatou Shadiya Assouman, Minister of Trade and Industry of Benin;

His Excellency Mr. Moussa Alassane Diallo, Minister of Trade of Mali;

H E Serge Poda, Minister of Trade and Industry of Burkina Faso;

H E Mathieu Fanga, Minister of Trade and Industry of Tchad;

Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, DG of WTO;

Esteemed Representatives of development partners organizations, colleagues;

Distinguished guests, Mesdames et Messieurs;

All protocol observed.

It is a pleasure to join you today in Cotonou as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of World Cotton Day. This event, rooted in the visionary leadership of the Cotton-4 countries, symbolizes Africa’s enduring commitment to cotton as a driver of sustainable growth. I would like to take this moment to salute President Patrice Talon, whose forward-thinking vision has propelled under the “Bénin révélé”, the country’s cotton sector to new heights. Under his leadership, Benin has become a beacon of how ambition, matched with strategic action, can transform a critical sector like cotton into a catalyst for economic growth, industrialization, job creation, and sustainable development.

I also wish to extend my gratitude to Minister Assouman Shadiya for her steadfast commitment and leadership in advancing Benin's trade sector. Your efforts, Minister, continue to set a high standard for others in the region and reflect the critical importance of private sector development, good governance and cooperation in fostering growth.

Mme la Ministre, merci également pour l’accueil chaleureux et l’hospitalité du gouvernement béninois.

Ladies and gentlemen, Benin’s approach to strengthening cotton production and building integrated value chains stands as a model not only for the Cotton-4 but for all African nations. It demonstrates that when local ambition is met with action, and smart policies are put in place, the benefits can be far-reaching. This includes expanding market access, enhancing trade, and driving value addition, all of which are crucial for ensuring that Africa moves beyond exporting raw materials and instead capitalizes on opportunities for industrialization and job creation.

Through focusing on inclusion, industrialization, and value addition, they are working to ensure that cotton is processed, transformed, and exported as higher-value products, creating more jobs and greater economic opportunities. This is not just about boosting exports—it is about making sure that cotton becomes an engine for inclusive and sustainable development.

But this progress cannot happen in isolation. International organizations, like ITC and those represented today, play a pivotal role in supporting this journey. We at ITC look forward to continuing working with WTO and other partners, in particular at national and regional levels, to make sure that trade rules are more inclusive and sustainable. ITC will continue supporting vertical integration of the sector, from cotton to clothing, enabling manufacturing, value addition, market access and fostering greater investments while building the industrial capacity needed to drive long-term growth in Africa’s cotton industry.

Today’s World Cotton Day is not a mere celebration—it is a reminder of what can be achieved when ambition is matched with strategic partnerships. Through combining our efforts, pooling our resources, and aligning our strategies, we can unlock the full potential of this sector, transforming it from a raw commodity into a pillar of economic prosperity, contributing to shared growth and sustainable livelihoods.

Let today’s gathering serve as a testament to the power of vision, leadership, and collaboration. Together, we can ensure that cotton continues to shape Africa’s and the global trade landscape, create jobs, and improve lives across the continent.

Je vous remercie.