Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Introduction For decades, industrial policy across Africa has largely been shaped by the assumption that every country should build its own complete manufacturing industry. In the cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) sector, this has often meant…
Thursday, July 02, 2026 Understanding how cotton-to-clothing ecosystems can unlock jobs, exports, and industrial transformation Introduction Africa occupies a unique position in the global cotton economy. Stretching from the cotton-producing regions of West Africa through Eastern and Southern Africa, the…
A common mistake made by exporters is assuming that all market access opportunities are equally attractive. In reality, successful export growth depends as much on choosing the right markets as it does on gaining access to them. The International Trade…
One of the most common assumptions in export development is that securing access to new markets automatically creates export opportunities. In reality, many firms discover that obtaining access and successfully exporting are two very different challenges. The U.S. International Trade…
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Introduction Over the past two decades, Africa has gained unprecedented access to major global markets, a feat that many developing regions continue to pursue. Through preferential trade arrangements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area…
Thursday June 18, 2026 The role of customs modernisation, digital trade systems, logistics infrastructure, and PAPSS in building competitive regional value chains under AfCFTA Introduction: The New Competitive Battlefield in Textile Trade In today’s global textile industry, the competitive landscape…
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Introduction For decades, discussions about international trade negotiations have been dominated by tariffs, focused on reducing import duties, expanding market access, and opening new commercial opportunities. The underlying assumption was that lower tariffs would lead to…
Thursday, June 11, 2026 Introduction: The Missing Link in Africa’s Textile Ambitions Africa’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) sector possesses many of the ingredients required to become a globally competitive textile manufacturing hub. It produces significant quantities of cotton, has…
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created renewed optimism around Africa’s ability to strengthen regional manufacturing, increase intra-African trade, and improve participation in global value chains. Yet the analysis presented in the ODI report on…
The World Trade Organization’s World Trade Report 2023 highlights a critical reality shaping modern trade competitiveness: reducing tariffs alone is no longer sufficient to drive export growth. As global supply chains become increasingly interconnected, the efficiency with which goods move…