African cotton stakeholders in Lomé push productivity to address sector challenges

Agriculture

Tuesday, 05 May 2026 18:12

African cotton stakeholders in Lomé push productivity to address sector challenges

(Togo First) - Lomé on Tuesday hosted the 22nd annual conference of the African Cotton Association (ACA), bringing together key players in the sector across the continent.

The event, organized by the Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT), was opened by Tekize Madadozi, secretary general at the agriculture ministry, representing the minister.

Over four days, participants will discuss the sector’s main challenges, share experiences and outline ways to improve productivity and competitiveness. Talks will focus on adapting to climate change, improving quality and traceability, and optimizing production systems.

“These meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences and identify practical solutions to common challenges,” NSCT Director General Martin Drevon said.

Regional summit amid sector pressures

The conference, held alongside the 18th review meeting of the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA), takes place amid economic uncertainty marked by volatile global cotton prices and rising input costs.

Africa’s cotton industry is also facing increasing requirements on quality and traceability, as well as growing pressure from climate change, which is affecting yields, crop cycles and the sustainability of production systems.

ACA President Kassoum Koné said the sector must adapt quickly through innovation, stronger producer capacity, increased mechanization and better coordination across the value chain. He also called for stronger partnerships to support the sector’s structural transformation.

In Togo, cotton production has rebounded in recent years, supported by sector reforms and efforts to improve coordination among stakeholders. These measures aim to raise yields, strengthen support for farmers and promote more efficient and sustainable practices.

This momentum reflects broader efforts across Africa to build a more competitive and integrated cotton industry, particularly through initiatives discussed within the ACA.

Founded in 2002, the African Cotton Association aims to promote dialogue among industry players, support sustainable development and strengthen the competitiveness of African cotton on international markets.

Gautier Agbekodovi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

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GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.