{"id":64566,"date":"2026-02-27T12:14:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T12:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/mauritius\/all-news\/wto-seeks-5-billion-for-africas-cotton-processing"},"modified":"2026-02-27T12:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T12:26:00","slug":"wto-seeks-5-billion-for-africas-cotton-processing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/mauritius\/all-news\/wto-seeks-5-billion-for-africas-cotton-processing","title":{"rendered":"WTO Seeks $5 Billion for Africa’s Cotton Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Mauritius. <\/strong> <\/span>The World Trade Organization (WTO) aims to attract US$5 billion in private investment to develop Africa\u2019s cotton processing industry and reduce raw material exports.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe WTO has been committed to supporting African countries, encouraging efforts to add value to the harvest and develop the cotton value chain for the textile industry and for governments,\u201d said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala yesterday at the Meeting of African Trade Ministers in Maputo.<\/p>\n

The WTO wants to end the export of 90% of the approximately one million tonnes of cotton produced in Africa, of which only 2% is processed. The goal is for African producing countries to process up to 25% of their cotton by the next decade. To achieve this, the organisation is engaging with international organisations and agencies to boost investment attraction.<\/p>\n

Under this plan, the WTO wants the African continent to focus on manufacturing clothing to supply domestic markets and for export.<\/p>\n

The World Trade Organization also aims to support Africa in global trade of critical minerals and in the growing digital trade on the continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfrican exports of digitally delivered services grew 15% in 2024, faster than any other region, but still represent only 1% of global digitally delivered service trade. There is plenty of room to grow, and the WTO can help provide the ecosystem for Africa to benefit from these new digital trade opportunities,\u201d said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.<\/p>\n

In the same remarks, she called on African trade ministers to support reforms at the WTO, ahead of the conference in March, noting that this is key to strengthening multilateral trade.<\/p>\n

The WTO recognises that global trade is undergoing \u201cthe worst political disruptions in the last 80 years,\u201d with unilateral actions undermining trade rules and companies seeking space to maintain their businesses in competitive markets.<\/p>\n

For the organisation, it is time for Africa to intensify its efforts and increase production, shifting from a raw material exporter to goods and services of higher value, attracting more investment along the supply chain, creating jobs for youth, and increasing the continent\u2019s share of global trade.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the WTO, we are focused on how Africa can secure more investment, capture more value to produce more, and thus trade more. We cannot trade more if we continue exporting only raw materials, which currently account for 60% of our exports. To help in this process, we need to reduce trade costs and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,\u201d said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.<\/p>\n

In Maputo, Mozambique at the African Trade Ministers Meeting to prepare for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaounde. With opening statements by the Prime Minister of Mozambique H.E Maria Benvinda Levy and by myself, the Honourable Minister of the Economy H.E Basi\u0301lio… pic.twitter.com\/FOmQpMYfUH<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 26, 2026<\/p>\n

Mozambique\u2019s Prime Minister, Benvinda Levi, who spoke at the opening of the meeting, said Africa must defend fairness in agricultural negotiations to correct distortions harmful to producers, while also ensuring that e-commerce promotes digital inclusion.<\/p>\n

Mozambique is hosting the Meeting of African Trade Ministers to strengthen cooperation among countries on the continent and promote an inclusive trading system, with the adoption of the Maputo Ministerial Declaration expected.<\/p>\n

The organisers expect the meeting to conclude with the adoption of the Maputo Ministerial Declaration, which will reflect Africa\u2019s position to be presented at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Lusa<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Mauritius<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Mauritius. The World Trade Organization (WTO) aims to attract US$5 billion in private investment to develop Africa\u2019s cotton processing industry and reduce raw material exports. \u201cThe WTO has been committed to supporting African countries, encouraging efforts to add value to the harvest and develop the cotton value chain for the textile industry and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":64565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[241],"class_list":["post-64566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-economy","tag-mauritius"],"yoast_head":"\nWTO Seeks $5 Billion for Africa's Cotton Processing - Mauritius<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Mauritius. 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