Introduction
With sourcing acquiring a more global nature and traditional cotton powerhouses like China seeing reducing cotton output, the time for Africa to rise on the world stage is imminent. For instance, China’s cotton ending stocks reduced by 9% in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. (source)
Such a situation has created previously underexplored regions like Africa to emerge as sourcing destinations. Africa accounts for nearly 15% of the world’s raw cotton exports despite producing less than 5% of the global raw cotton total, emphasizing its importance on the global stage.
Below, we explore the top 10 cotton-producing countries in Africa, which are set to play a bigger part on the world stage.
1. Benin
Benin is the premier West African country when it comes to cotton production. It is the only African country (along with Mali) to have produced more than 1 million bales of cotton in 2024-25, according to the USDA.
Benin falls just outside of the world top 10 when it comes to cotton production, coming in at number 11. (source) A developing textile industry is supporting cotton cultivation in the country, incentivizing cultivation to feed domestic demand.
Benin is also unique in Africa due to its measures supporting organic cotton production. Initiatives like “Growing Benin's Organic Cotton Sector” are supporting organic cotton production in the country, also leading to increased revenues for farmers. (source)
2. Mali
Mali has emerged as one of the top cotton-producing countries in Africa and competes with Benin to be the leader in the continent. According to TexPro data, Mali even overtook Benin in terms of cotton production in 2023, before falling back in 2024.
According to the USDA, Mali ranks just below Benin in the top cotton-producing countries’ ranking, coming in at number 12.
Mali is set to increase its cotton production activities even further. For the 2025/26 season, the country aims to increase the area under cotton cultivation by 50,000 hectares as compared to the previous year. (source)
The growth of the cotton industry in Mali is supported by various government initiatives and through bodies like the Compagnie malienne pour le développement du textile (CMDT).
3. Burkina Faso
Another West African country, Burkina Faso stands as a major producer of cotton in Africa. Conditions in the country are generally improving. For instance, in the 2023/24 season, conventional cottonseed yields in the country improved by about 25%. (source)
4. Côte d’Ivoire
Staying in West Africa, another major cotton producing country in the region is Côte d’Ivoire. Cotton production in the country rose by approximately 25% from 2020 to 2024. (source)
Further, foreign investment is also helping the country’s cotton sector’s development. For instance, France has pledged about US$83 million to help Côte d’Ivoire’s cotton industry.
5. Cameroon
Cameroon is the biggest producer of cotton in the continent outside of West Africa. This decade has seen production in the country reach record highs. For instance, production in the 2020/21 season set a new record of 350,000 tons. (source)
After some dip periods, production is on the up again. For 2025, it is estimated that production will again cross the 350,000 tons mark. (source)
Cotton production in the country is led by SODECOTON, where the government is the majority stakeholder. The target of the company is producing 400,000 tons of cotton per year.
6. Tanzania
Moving over to East Africa, Tanzania ranks as the biggest cotton producer in the region. Tanzania also stands out as the top organic cotton-producing country in Africa and one of the largest overall in the world, part of the top 10.
7. Nigeria
Cotton production in Nigeria was in its prime during the 1980s. However, the country has seen reducing cotton production in recent years, with production barely crossing the 50,000 tons mark recently.
This decline of cotton production in Nigeria is occasioned by the declining domestic textile market. (source) Without a firm domestic textile sector, farmers find it hard to sell the material.
However, there have been promising developments. For instance, in 2024, Nigeria signed a MoU with Brazil. This agreement aims to bring Brazilian knowhow in biotechnology and agricultural technology to Nigeria. (source)
8. Egypt
Egypt has a long tradition of cotton-growing, going back to the Dynasty period. The country is also famous for its extra-long staple (ELS) cotton, known as Egyptian cotton, which is considered one of the finest and premium cotton fibres in the world.
However, cotton production in Egypt has had its own share of hiccups. For instance, production in 2024/25 was down 4% from the year prior. (source)
Still, efforts are being undertaken by the Egyptian government to not only increase cotton cultivation but also to modernize it, with short staple cotton a major area of focus. (source) As such, Egypt has already cultivated 2,000 acres of short staple cotton in the East Owainat region in 2025. (source)
9. Zimbabwe
Like many of the countries in the lower end of the list, cotton production in Zimbabwe is sloping downward. The figures in Zimbabwe are significant due to their drastic nature.
Cotton production in the country fell by a whopping 96% from 2011 to 2024. (source) A variety of factors, including climate change, lack of irrigation infrastructure, and challenges related to weather have stunted the growth of the Zimbabwe cotton industry.
However, as with other countries above it in the list, measures are being taken to overturn this tide. The Zimbabwean government has recently unveiled the "Cotton to Clothing" strategy, with the dual purpose of increasing cotton production and revitalizing Zimbabwe’s textile industry.
10. Chad
Cotton production in Chad faces many obstacles, such as water shortage and market upheavals, not helped by the country’s challenging political landscape. Still, the cotton sector in Chad has proved resilient.
For instance, cotton production in Chad increased from 17,500 metric tons in 2019 to over 145,000 in 2022. (source) This highlights the country’s increasing presence in the African cotton market.
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Conclusion
Africa is climbing the ranks when it comes to cotton sourcing. However, with cotton industry stakeholders focused on key regions like India, the USA, China, and Brazil, there is often a dearth of information regarding African cotton.
This is where TexPro by Fibre2Fashion can help. With this tool, businesses can track African cotton prices in real-time, as well as get historical and even forecast pricing information.
Businesses can also track metrics like cotton production, area under cotton cultivation, labour costs, and more for all cotton-producing African nations. Hence, TexPro can be your guide to improving or starting cotton sourcing from Africa.
