Benin is working to transform its cotton industry by shifting from exporting raw cotton to producing finished goods like clothing, aiming to keep more economic value within the country. As Africa's largest cotton producer, Benin produced 1.15 million bales of cotton between 2025 and 2026, contributing 0.9% to global production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Local entrepreneur Fatoumata Dosso, founder of DAF Collection, is one of the key figures in this effort. Her fabrics, labeled "Made in Benin," highlight the country's push to add value to its cotton through domestic manufacturing. To support this shift, the Benin government has introduced policies that discourage the export of raw cotton and instead encourage the export of finished products, such as garments and pineapple juice. This strategy aims to reduce the country's current account deficit, which fell from 6.2% of GDP in 2024 to 5.7% in 2025, as reported by the African Development Bank. A major step in this direction was the establishment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in 2020, a private-public partnership with Arise IIP. Located 45 kilometers from Cotonou, the GDIZ processes about 40,000 tons of Beninese cotton annually, producing between 7 and 10 million garments. Workers at the facility are involved in various stages of garment production, from stitching to pressing. The success of this initiative relies on a strong grassroots network of at least 183,746 cotton producers organized into 2,206 village cooperatives. This network supports over 2 million people in rural areas and is a key driver of social inclusion in Benin’s farming communities. Smallholder farmers, like Toussaint Bapetem, benefit from guaranteed markets for their cotton, which is more profitable than other crops like corn. Bapetem uses his income to support his family, repay debts, and fund his children's education. Some of his cotton is even used to make garments locally, which he buys at the nearby Bétérou market. Entrepreneurs like Dosso are also playing a vital role in promoting Benin’s textile industry. After leaving her job as the mayor's secretary, Dosso now focuses on her fashion business, which employs about a dozen women as weavers. They produce traditional fabrics like pagne, a garment popular among Fulani herders. Dosso represents Benin at international fashion shows and advocates for "Made in Benin" showrooms in major cities. One of her weavers, Chabi Baké, earns about $545 a month, which she uses to build a home for her family. She believes that producing finished goods locally allows the community to benefit directly from the value of their cotton.