Green and inclusive valorization of cotton and textile for local empowerment

About this project

In Mali, the textile sector is primarily based on cotton cultivation, the country’s second-largest export commodity after gold. In 2023, the cotton industry accounted for approximately 7% of total exports and contributed nearly 15% of the national GDP. It plays a vital role in the country’s economic and social development by generating income for over 4 million people—representing about one-fifth of the population—and promoting economic inclusion in both rural and urban areas.This project is aligned with a national ambition to sustainably and inclusively develop this strategic yet underutilized sector. Currently, less than 5%[1] of Mali’s cotton is processed locally, with the vast majority exported in its raw form. This limited value addition restricts the sector’s ability to create decent jobs, particularly for youth and women, who remain largely excluded from formal value chains.The project therefore seeks to accelerate impact by strengthening climate-resilient local solutions, expanding economic opportunities for youth and women, and reinforcing the resilience of cotton-dependent communities facing compounded socio-economic, environmental and security pressures. In this context of escalating climate shocks, declining cotton productivity, and heightened youth vulnerability in fragile regions, there is an urgent need to consolidate and scale up gains achieved under previous JSB/TICAD-supported interventions such as the completion of the diagnostic study on the cotton sector…

Goals

Sustainable Development Goals this project works towards

• 1No Poverty
• 7Affordable and Clean Energy
• 8Decent Work and Economic Growth

Published by

United Nations Development Programme · Multilateral

Countries

Mali

Sectors

Business development servicesEnvironmental education/trainingMulti-hazard response preparedness

Funded by

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

Implemented by

UNDP

Accountable

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Published by United Nations Development Programme to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 5 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: XM-DAC-41114-PROJECT-01005716.

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