From $6 billion in 2024, Africa's cotton industry is projected to grow to $7.7 billion by 2029, indicates a report by the global market analysis firm, Mordor Intelligence.
Along with other development institutions, the World Bank is aiding the production of key African cotton producers who produce 50 per cent of their cotton in wetter regions of the continent, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali.
However, production levels across certain regions such as Ghana have stagnated despite having favorable conditions for cotton cultivation. This contrasts with the rapid growth seen in other areas.
In 2021, Burkina Faso recorded the highest value of $460 million of cotton exports in the region. This provided a significant boost to the country's impoverished and sanction-affected economy.