Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an internationally recognised standard for sustainable cotton from Africa. Since 2005, CmiA has been committed to protecting the environment while improving working and living conditions for smallholder farmers and ginnery workers.
Aid by Trade Foundation
Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is a Hamburg-based foundation established by Prof. Dr. Michael Otto. It administers the Cotton made in Africa standard with the goal of protecting valuable resources, improving living conditions, and ensuring the viability of future generations through sustainable action…
Sustainability Standards
The CmiA standards include sustainability criteria for cotton, with independent auditors regularly monitoring for compliance.
Motsi Mabuse
CmiA ambassador, dancer und TV jury member
“We live in an incredibly fast-moving consumer society. Only when we are aware of the consequences of our own actions, we can assume responsibility and look to the future in a relaxed way. This is what I would like to raise awareness for, and CmiA shows the right path to reaching this goal.”
CmiA Worldwide
Cotton made in Africa–certified cotton is grown and ginned in Africa before being processed into textiles worldwide.
Current partners
Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Baur, Biederlack, Bonprix, BRAX, Breckle, Buffalo, erko-Textil studio, Ernsting’s, family, Frankonia, Fynch Hatton, HAKRO, heine, HIITU, Hugo Boss, Klingel, LIDL, Manufactum, Mattes & Ammann, MILES, OTTO, otto group, Penny, REWE, Rewe Group, s.Oliver, Schwab, SportScheck, Tchibo, TSG Hoffenheim, Toom, Witt
Current partners
Bestseller, Jack&Jones, Selected, Weaverbirds
Current partners
Cercle
Current partners
Dibella, Uniwax Cdl, Vlisco
Current partners
KiBoKO, Wakuu
Current partners
Mundotextil
Current partners
Premium African Textiles Ghana, Tex Styles Ghana
Current partners
Reliable Hosiery
Current partners
Tendam Retail
Current partners
Topgrade
Current partners
Unito
Current partners
ACTIF (African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation), IREN Kenya
Current partners
BCI (Better Cotton Initiative), Care, International Trade Centre, African Cotton Foundation (ACF)
Current partners
Bundesministerium für wirtschaftlich Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, Bremer Baumwollbörse, GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Mattes&Ammann, Max Tex, NABU, Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien, Welthungehilfe, WWF, International Civil Society Center
Current partners
BCI (Better Cotton Initiative), ISEAL Alliance
Current partners
Nilorn
Current partners
OTTO International SCAN-THOR
Current partners
TextileExchange
Current partners
African People and Wildlife
Current partners
Sodeco (Pèhunco gin only)
Current partners
Faso Coton, Sofitex
Current partners
Sodecoton
Current partners
Cidt, Coic, Ivoire Coton, Seco
Current partners
Masara N‘Arziki (Wienco Cotton)
Current partners
Plexus, OLAM, San JFS Holding
Current partners
Arewa Cotton
Current partners
Alliance Ginneries Ltd., Biosustain
Training for smallholders is at the heart of Cotton made in Africa’s work and includes both agricultural and business management training.
African Cotton
Cotton is one of the most important raw materials for textiles. The African continent is one of the world’s largest producers.
Project Regions
Africa is a huge continent – larger than the USA, China, India, Japan, and Europe put together. CmiA is active in many countries on the continent, from Benin to Tanzania.
Projects
Health
2.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water, while 4.4 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities. As a consequence, children …
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have a high rate of illiteracy. Purely practical considerations are often responsible for the lack of education: in many cases, the closest school is simply too far away…
In 2019, CmiA and the cotton company SAN-JFS developed a recycling project in Mozambique. This project supports women, so called eco-activists, from local farming communities who operate eco-collection points where the plastic containers are collected and then transported off for recycling. We spoke with Justina Fernanda Afonso, one of the eco-activists, about her work.
