In a momentous collaboration aimed at fostering economic growth and empowerment in Africa, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala participated in the unveiling of cotton products from ARISE Integrated Industrial Platform (ARISE IIP).
The partnership, dedicated to utilizing African-made products as drivers for economic inclusion, was showcased by ARISE IIP at a special event in Abu Dhabi, held alongside the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. Attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former Nigerian finance minister and WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the event emphasized the transformative potential of initiatives like the Cotton-4 plus (C4+) program.
The C4+ program, designed to leverage football’s influence to spur economic growth and empowerment in developing nations, particularly in West Africa, highlights the economic significance of cotton production in countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali.
Gianni Infantino underscored football’s broader impact, stating, “It was my pleasure to shine a spotlight on FIFA’s ‘Cotton-4 plus’ (C4+) initiative in partnership with the WTO ahead of the 13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.” He emphasized the initiative’s aim to create jobs, combat poverty, and empower women in C4+ countries.
Expanding the football economy beyond Europe, Infantino sees Africa playing a pivotal role in economic growth and poverty alleviation. FIFA remains committed to supporting countries worldwide, particularly those with limited resources, through initiatives like Football for Schools.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the untapped economic potential of the sports apparel market in Africa, stressing the importance of creating value-added products on the continent. She emphasized a successful side event on cotton, aimed at assisting Cotton 4 countries to develop the cotton value chain in Africa, tapping into the lucrative $270 billion football and sports apparel market.
The event, attended by ministers and senior officials from WTO member states, aimed to advance key international trade discussions fostering development. FIFA and the WTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022 to explore using football to promote economic inclusion, particularly through the WTO’s cotton program.
Cotton holds significant economic importance for West African C4+ countries, yet much of it is exported as raw material rather than finished products. Completing the field-to-fabric cycle within these nations could significantly increase their share of football apparel market revenues.
ARISE IIP’s involvement in industrial projects across Africa, such as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin, demonstrates their commitment to transforming local value chains sustainably. Projects like GDIZ, which includes textile production capabilities, are expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs by 2025.
ARISE IIP’s investment portfolio includes partnerships with governments across Africa, such as the Gabon Special Economic Zone and plans for the Koya Industrial Zone in Sierra Leone. These projects aim to boost exports, promote local transformation of raw materials, and create job opportunities, aligning with ARISE IIP’s goal of unlocking Africa’s industrial potential in an environmentally sustainable manner.
About ARISE IIP:
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is a pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial parks committed to fostering economic growth in Africa. Through strategic partnerships and sustainable practices, ARISE IIP aims to unlock Africa’s industrial potential while minimizing environmental impact. Currently present in multiple African countries, ARISE IIP is recognized for its contribution to economic development and sustainability.
