Côte d’Ivoire is turning to China as it looks for investment, technology and expertise to process more of its cotton at home and build a stronger textile and apparel industry.

The move comes as the country tries to reduce its dependence on raw cotton exports and create more value from a crop that remains important to its economy.

More than 90% of Côte d’Ivoire’s cotton is still exported in raw form, mainly to Asian markets, according to data cited by the Investment Promotion Center of Côte d’Ivoire, or CEPICI.

The Cotton, Cashew and Shea Council, known as CCA-K, signed a cooperation agreement with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade’s textile and apparel chamber, CCPIT-TEX, on Aug. 25 during the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics trade fair.

The deal is aimed at connecting Ivorian companies with Chinese investors while opening the door to technology transfers, training and new business partnerships. The fair itself runs from Aug. 25-27 in Shanghai.

Côte d’Ivoire wants more cotton processed locally

The government had set a target of raising the share of processed cotton fiber to 40% by 2025, from 11.49% in 2020. There is no recent official assessment showing whether that target was reached.

For Abidjan, the issue is bigger than attracting investment. More local processing would allow the country to produce more yarn, fabric and finished clothing while creating industrial jobs and keeping more of the value generated by cotton inside Côte d’Ivoire.

China Offers technology and industrial expertise

China is a natural partner for that effort because its textile industry covers much of the supply chain, from spinning and weaving to garment production and machinery.

The agreement is intended to give Ivorian businesses greater access to Chinese companies and technical expertise.

The partnership does not announce a specific major investment. Instead, it creates a framework for future deals, technology transfers and training, according to information from the parties involved.

Turning a partnership into factories

Côte d’Ivoire has installed spinning and weaving capacity of about 26,000 metric tons a year, while two textile-finishing companies have combined capacity of 35 million meters of fabric annually.

CCPIT-TEX is the textile and apparel chamber of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

It helps connect businesses and supports trade and investment cooperation in China’s textile and apparel sector.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the next test will be turning the agreement into actual investments, new factories and higher domestic cotton processing.