US-Africa Trade Desk Launches Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership

The U.S.-Africa Trade Desk (USATD), in collaboration with the governments of Mauritius, Lesotho, and Kenya, has formally launched the Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership (TACP). The announcement was made during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The partnership intends to strengthen U.S.-Africa trade within cotton and textile value chains. The objective is to utilize high-quality U.S.-grown cotton in African industries for the manufacturing of finished goods, which can then be exported back to the U.S. market. This approach aims to create added value for both continents and reinforces the U.S. role as a supplier of agricultural products to Africa.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Sam Matekane highlighted at the event that the initiative presents an opportunity to build a broader industrial relationship between the continents. Mauritius Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, Ameer Meea, noted that the partnership allows American cotton to be processed in Africa and finished garments to be imported back into the U.S., generating value on both sides of the Atlantic.

Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, emphasized the importance of developing integrated cotton, textile, and apparel value chains for Africa's industrialization. He stated that the partnership will assist Kenya, a strong player in garment assembly, in expanding its export capacity and positioning the country as a sustainable hub for textile and apparel manufacturing.

USATD states that the TACP aims to directly connect U.S. suppliers with African buyers, while also developing compliance, logistics, and financing systems to facilitate cross-border commerce of finished products using U.S. goods.