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Cotton Stories

Cotton made in Africa’s Blog

Welcome to the world of Cotton made in Africa! The following pages offer you travel reports, interviews, and our “farmer stories”, in which smallholder farmers let us see how they live, and their work in the cotton fields, through their own eyes. Join us in taking a look behind the curtain of cotton production.

Wear a smile with… Justina Fernanda Afonso

14.01.2021
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.
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Wear a Smile with…Fanta Soro

02.11.2020
Promoting and supporting female cotton farmers in rural Africa is a key responsibility for Cotton made in Africa. 18 percent of all farmers participating in the CmiA programme are women. One of these women is Fanta Soro.
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Sustainable Bonds – Sustainability and the banks

17.09.2020
In connection with Otto Group’s comprehensive commitment to sustainability, the Sustainable Finance Framework was developed in 2019 to quantify and account for the social and […]
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Sustainable Lifestyle in COUCH Magazine

13.08.2020
Interview with Christina Gath, Managing Editor of COUCH magazine about sustainability in the current media landscape.
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COVID-19 Initiative – CmiA smallholder farmers & ginnery workers benefit from immediate assistance

27.07.2020
In order to set an early example in the fight against the spread of Corona in CmiA partner countries, the AbTF launched its own COVID-19 Initiative in April 2020.
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Corporate Responsibility and Transparency

20.07.2020
Mohammod Yeasin Mahmud, Senior General Manager of the Noman Group in Bangladesh, discusses the demand for Cotton made in Africa products, transparency in the supply […]
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Transparency and circularity in the value chain

09.07.2020
bonprix is the largest purchaser of cotton produced in accordance with the criteria set out by Cotton made in Africa.
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Interview with Martin Kielmann

02.06.2020
Martin Johannes Kielmann is a Photographer and Art Director. His fashion assignments take him all over the world, and he has worked on numerous fashion […]
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Fast support for small farmers to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic

27.05.2020
To ensure basic hygiene measures even in the remote growing regions of Cotton Made in Africa, we are currently working with our partner cotton companies […]
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Aid by Trade Foundation stakeholders and partners along the textile supply chain on the Covid-19 pandemic

17.04.2020
The corona pandemic keeps a firm grip on the entire world and is an incredible challenge for all of us every day. We must adapt […]
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Welthungerhilfe on the Covid-19 pandemic

15.04.2020
Welthungerhilfe is a long-standing partner of the Cotton made in Africa initiative. Together, we have already initiated projects in African cotton-growing regions – such as […]
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The AbTF on the current COVID-19 pandemic

25.03.2020
The COVID-19 pandemic also affects us, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF). Until further notice, we do not travel to our project areas in Africa […]
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Interview with Taslimul Hoque

27.01.2020
“CmiA helped us to improve the business” Taslimul Hoque on the purity of African cotton, smart customer acquisition and the influence of consumers Mr. Hoque, […]
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Interview with Torsten Stau

10.01.2020
“We need solidarity.” Torsten Stau on work wear, cooperation with civil society, and CmiA in the mass market Mr. Stau, you are responsible for many […]
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Involving Communities Pays Off For Everyone

19.12.2019
Within the framework of the CmiA Community Cooperation Programme and with support of the German fashion retailer bonprix, the cotton company COIC (Compagnie Ivoirienne de […]
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Interview with Josia Coulibaly

10.12.2019
For the benefit of the female producers Josia Coulibaly on sustainability in the cotton business, women in Africa and her assertiveness in the village Ms. […]
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Introducing Agri Exim as a new CmiA partner

10.12.2019
Agri Exim has approached CmiA end of 2018 during the Cotton Expert House Annual Conference in Kampala with the interest to become a partner of the […]
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CmiA at the AFCOT Conference: Major Sustainability Trends and Effects for Producers

09.12.2019
The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was invited to present the Cotton made in Africa initiative at the French Cotton Association (AFCOT) conference, which was […]
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Better access to clean water for cotton communities in Burkina Faso

04.12.2019
CmiA’s first partner in Burkina Faso, the cotton company Faso Coton, launched in October 2018 in a community project with the financial support from S. […]
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Interview with Boaz Ogola

02.12.2019
Symbol of light and freedom Boaz Ogola on higher harvests, girl dormitories and the feeling of carrying a very special torch Mr. Ogola, what role […]
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Wear a smile with… Sabina & Paul

31.10.2019
Cotton as a natural fiber is one of the most important raw materials in the textile value chain. With around 30 million tons projected for […]
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Cotton made in Africa Takes On Plastic Waste in Africa

20.10.2019
New Project in Mozambique Kenya, Rwanda, and now Tanzania: Many countries in Africa have already banned plastic bags. In Germany, on the other hand, it […]
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Wear a smile with… Madeleine Tringal

24.09.2019
Since the Rana Plaza garment factory building collapsed in 2013 burying more than 1,100 people, more and more of us are asking: Where do my […]
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Wear A Smile With … Juliet Kabugho

22.09.2019
To raise awareness for the world behind our textiles and share stories about the farmers that produce the raw material for our clothes with a […]
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Wear a Smile with… Miriam Muhindo

16.09.2019
When we think of climate protection, a few things generally spring to mind: We should fly less to cut CO2. Also, if we eat less […]
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Wear A Smile With … Biira Lawuniyeda

17.08.2019
One of Cotton made in Africa‘s key tasks is supporting female cotton farmers in rural Africa. 17% of all farmers participating in the CmiA program […]
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Wear a smile with … Waita Simeyi

15.07.2019
Taking notes, understanding instructions, calculating income and expenditure: In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, many people are unable to read, write, or perform simple arithmetic. […]
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Wear a smile with … Nyambe Muchindu Nawa

15.07.2019
They feed and care for the entire family, work in the fields and carry heavy loads: in sub-Saharan Africa, women do a lot of the […]
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Gender Officer and Women Clubs to Foster Gender Equality in Zambia

07.06.2019
In Sub-Saharan Africa, improving the living conditions of smallholder farmers is directly associated with the empowerment of women. Female cotton farmers do most of the […]
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Aid by Trade Foundation starts public consultation on revised Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) Standard

13.05.2019
The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is a Subscriber to the ISEAL Alliance. As a standard-setting organization it has created the Cotton made in Africa […]
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ALLIANCE TANZANIA IMPROVES LOCAL SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE SIMIYU REGION

19.12.2018
CmiA Partner Alliance Tanzania has a strong relationship with its cotton growing communities and is very committed to improving living conditions in the rural areas. […]
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CmiA Fosters Collaboration Amongst Cotton Companies in Zambia

19.12.2018
As the new cotton growing season is starting in Zambia, CmiA recently sent an agri-technical expert to give a series of Training of Trainers (ToT) […]
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CmiA’s Network of Partners is Growing

19.12.2018
Since the start of Cotton made in Africa in 2005, the initiative has significantly expanded its network of partners who work with smallholder cotton farmers […]
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Wear a Smile with … Mary Mbambu

19.09.2018
Wearing a bathrobe to raise awareness for cotton farmers in Africa? Precisely! In the face of climate crises, tons of microplastic polluting the oceans and […]
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Wear A Smile With … Thomas Bwambale

01.04.2018
Cotton is a popular plant – not just with people but also with insects. But not all insects are good for the cotton plants. As […]
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Celebrating International Women’s Day: Wear A Smile With … Juliyana Kabugho

08.03.2018
In Sub-Saharan Africa, women like Juliyana Kabugho have to be true multi-talents. While they are usually in charge of their children’s upbringing and the wellbeing […]
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Wear a Smile with … Hariet Muhindo

09.02.2018
Protecting both the environment and one’s own health whilst also securing cotton yields or even increasing one’s income – is that possible? Hariet Muhindo, cotton […]
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Wear a Smile with … Ali Dandi

18.01.2018
As independent entrepreneurs, all cotton farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa have to make wide-ranging decisions for their small business – the cotton field – on a […]
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Wear a Smile with … Matakon Hacda

22.12.2017
Education is one of the most important requirements for improving the living conditions of people in Subsaharan Africa and combating causes of migration. As standard […]
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Wear a Smile with … Elisé Balimaya Kabaya

26.11.2017
Between harvests, cotton companies have little work for the employees in their ginning plant, which is why the majority of them are employed as seasonal […]
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Wear a Smile with … Isaac Banda

10.11.2017
Isaac Banda is a very experienced cotton farmer. On his small farm in the Lundazi subregion of Zambia, he has been growing cotton since 1998. […]
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Wear a Smile with … Choolwe Mweemba

08.10.2017
Meet Choolwe Mweemba, a 28 year old smallholder cotton farmer from Simabwachi Village in the southern region of Zambia. As the mother of three boys, […]
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Wear a Smile with … Bruce Chinyaka

19.09.2017
Meet Bruce Chinyaka, CmiA smallholder farmer from Tobonte Village in southern Zambia. He is 35 years old and has two daughters and four sons. His […]
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Behind the Scenes with … Papa Shabani

07.09.2017
In April 2017, Papa Shabani, a young photographer, communication designer and artist from Uganda, accompanied Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) to its farming regions in Kasese, […]
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Wear a Smile with … Loft Mpili

05.09.2017
When Loft Mpili started to farm cotton according to the Cotton made in Africa criteria, he changed quite a few things on his small farm […]
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Wear a Smile with … Emelly Mwanza

24.08.2017
Emelly Mwanza is a 24 year old Cotton made in Africa farmer from Zambia. She has two daughters, aged 2 and 4, and has started […]
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Proud to Present: Abaana

17.08.2017
A sustainable brand of kids clothing from Uganda, Abaana designs and produces beautiful clothing out of Cotton made in Africa. Founded by three moms, Abaana is […]
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Cotton made in Africa in China: CmiA Regional Conferences Reply to the Growing Demand for CmiA Cotton in China

09.08.2017
Since its foundation in June 2005, the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative has established strong and reliable trade relationships between international textile companies and […]
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Wear a Smile with … Given Simatipa

07.08.2017
Given Simatipa is 44 years old and grows CmiA cotton since 2000. Together with his family, he lives on his farm in southern Zambia. Given‘s […]
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Partnership for Sustainable Textiles: Cotton made in Africa Publishes Action Plan

31.07.2017
As a member of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles initiated by the Federal Government, Cotton made in Africa published its action plan as of July […]
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Cooee Joins Cotton made in Africa

14.07.2017
Cotton made in Africa welcomes Cooee as new partner. Cooee is a young label from UK that aims is to create fair, sustainable and every day […]
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Let Nature Smile

30.06.2017
So how can Cotton made in Africa products help you return a smile to the environment? Those farmers whose cotton fields are located close to […]
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Bathrobe Day FAQ

20.06.2017
What is Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)?Cotton made in Africa is 100 % cotton, sustainably produced in Africa – the material used to produce our […]
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Wear a Smile with … Sali Abouakar

18.06.2017
Sali ABOUBAKAR is one of our CmiA partner working in a cotton ginnery. He reports what impact you can have on smallholder farmers by supporting […]
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Wear a Smile with … Rébecca Guizei

12.06.2017
Cotton made in Africa protects kids from dangerous child labour, offers trainings on child protection and initiates school projects. Especially in rural Africa, this is […]
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Wear a Smile with … Syayifuma Bwambal

09.06.2017
With every Cotton made in Africa garment you buy, you can make African smallholder farmers happier, because they directly profit from every single piece that […]
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Wear a Smile with … Rosalie Dasna

07.06.2017
One of our smallholder farmers, Rosalie DASNA, is 40 years old and from Cameroun: „The business trainings initiated by Cotton made in Africa have taught […]
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Wear a Smile with… Cosmes Masareka

01.06.2017
With every Cotton made in Africa product, you can make smallholder farmers in Africa happier, because they benefit from every piece of textile who is […]
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Wear a Smile with… Lawrence Masereka

29.05.2017
WITH EVERY COTTON MADE IN AFRICA Product, You can change the world to a better place – without paying any more. Through Cotton made in […]
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Wear a Smile with… Baluku Bayeya

25.05.2017
With Cotton made in Africa labeled products, you can wear and share a smile without doing anything. Why? You can wear a smile, because you […]
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Wear a Smile with… Jane Mbambu

22.05.2017
Why can you give back a smile to nature – with Cotton made in Africa? Cotton made in Africa produces 40% less greenhouse gases per […]
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Wear a Smile with…Fernand Sadou

19.05.2017
Get to know from Fernand Sadou, who works for the CmiA certified Cotton Company Sodecoton in Cameroun, what changes have been realized for farmers through trainings – […]
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Wear a Smile with…Rosalie Tawassa

14.05.2017
By means of every single Cotton made in Africa product you support us in giving children in Africa the chance to get a school education. […]
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Wear A Smile with CmiA – Make yourself and 695,000 farmers smile

29.04.2017
For Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), the protection of valuable natural resources and a better life for smallholder farmers in Africa are our first priorities. We […]
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Cotton made in Africa Publishes Interactive Annual Report on its Anniversary Year of 2015

31.08.2016
For over 10 years Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been working with people along the textile value chain – from the field to the […]
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CmiA starts public ISEAL consultation on revised standard

06.07.2016
Since 2008, the Cotton made in Africa Standard has contributed to making sub-Saharan smallholder cotton production more sustainable. As of now, up to 700,000 smallholder […]
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Cotton made in Africa Joins Sustainable Clothing Action Plan

26.06.2016
CmiA joins the UK’s Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) to actively support the change within the textile supply chain and work together on a more […]
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Cotton made in Africa funds first health outpost in rural Tanzania

26.05.2016
The Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative has approved funding for a health outpost in rural Tanzania to mark the UN’s International Day of Action […]
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Water – a precious commodity and more important than ever in Zimbabwe!

22.03.2016
The UN World Water Day has been held on 22 March every year since 1993. It seeks to call attention to the importance of this […]
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Fashion for Teams: Mail-order team strips with a lasting wow factor

12.01.2016
The ATAKORA Fördergesellschaft is proud to present its new one-stop shopping service Fashion for Teams. Fashion for Teams is aimed at companies, clubs and organizations […]
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Cotton made in Africa presents new Community Cooperation Programm

06.11.2015
The people in the countries of cotton production in Africa and the environment we are active in are the central focus of our work. That […]
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33rd International Cotton Conference Bremen, March 16-18th, 2016

01.11.2015
Cotton is an annually renewable resource, a fibre with and in which people feel comfortable. Cotton has been spun for millennia and industrially processed for […]
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CmiA – Promoting vertical integration in the textile chain

22.10.2015
According to the results of the African Economic Outlook 2015, 60 percent of the African population is employed in agriculture, including the cotton industry. The […]
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Mr. Coffeebean discovers sustsainable cotton standards

21.09.2015
From fashion to sporting and lifestyle – every week our partner Tchibo offers a new world of products to its consumers. Not only the quality values high […]
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Cotton made in Africa Events

17.07.2015
Throughout the year, the Aid by Trade Foundation is engaged in various events and stakeholder meetings to inform about its Cotton made in Africa initiative, […]
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African solutions for a green economy: interview with Kate Berrisford

10.07.2015
What is the Green Africa Directory and what inspired you to create it? The Green Africa Directory is a pan-African, online network of organisations with […]
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A strong team for sustainable cotton for the Dutch market

12.05.2015
With its latest cooperation with Dutch service enterprise AfricanWise, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has put down another marker for Cotton made in Africa […]
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Cotton made in Africa reaches over 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa

25.03.2015
Following successful verification in accordance with the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) sustainability standard, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) will now be involved in […]
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Otto Group and Cotton made in Africa create future opportunities for children of cotton farmers in Africa

05.03.2015
Over 3,000 children in Southern Africa get access to school education – this was achieved as the result of the community project “Promotion of school […]
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Aid by Trade Foundation to Launch CmiA-Organic Cotton on the Market for the First Time

12.11.2014
New CmiA-Organic Standard Creates Market Access and Social Added Value for African Organic Cotton Farmers The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is the largest cotton […]
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Tchibo and Cotton made in Africa Care for School Education in Africa

10.11.2014
Sustainable Cotton for school education in Benin and Zambia Tchibo and the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) have been committed to expanding the school infrastructure […]
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Cargill Withdraw from Cotton Sector in Zimbabwe

24.10.2014
Aid by Trade Foundation’s Local Partner Focuses on the Production of Food Crops Cargill Zimbabwe, a local partner of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) […]
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Nilorn Becomes New CmiA Partner

17.10.2014
Brand and Design Company Nilorn Provides Creative Recognition for CmiA Products To ensure a consistent, recognizable branding for Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), the Aid […]
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The World Needs Strong Women

15.10.2014
10-15-2014 International Day of Rural Women Strong women are instrumental in combating poverty and hunger in rural regions in Africa. At the same time, they […]
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Experts’ meeting on African Cotton

29.09.2014
8. CmiA and COMPACI Stakeholder Conference in Cologne Making African cotton competitive and providing a sustainable basis for people and nature are the goals of […]
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Sustainable Angle London cooperates with Cotton made in Africa

22.08.2014
Sustainable cotton initiative displays its work at this year’s Future Fabcris Expo For the first time, the Aid by Trade Foundation will present its Cotton […]
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AbTF Publishes Picture Block on Child Labour

01.08.2014
Interview with Donald Grant, children’s book author and illustrator of the picture block On the occasion of the fight for the rights of children, the […]
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ISEAL Aiming to Bring Clarity to the Claims Jungle

31.07.2014
Guest Blog Post by Amy Jackson, Senior Credibility Manager, ISEAL AllianceISEAL, as the global membership organisation for sustainability standards, is the leading authority on what […]
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CmiA now also active in Cameroon

14.07.2014
Cotton initiative supports an additional 1.5 million people in Africa After successfully completing verification, more than 226,000 smallholder farmers in Cameroon are for the first […]
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AbTF Intensifies Dialogue with US American Retail

14.07.2014
Foundation Discusses Sustainability Strategy with Experts from the U.S. Textile Industry To reflect the increasing importance of sustainable raw materials for retail trade, the Aid […]
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Fashion Revolution Day 24.04.2014

07.04.2014
CmiA supports international day of action aiming to change the fashion industry Cotton made in Africa supports Fashion Revolution Day taking place on Thursday, 24th […]
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Successes and challenges associated with measuring the effectiveness of CmiA

03.04.2014
The aim of Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is to verifiably and transparently provide improved living conditions for the smallholder cotton farmers and their families […]
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CmiA pays off for smallholder farmers

03.04.2014
AbTF takes stock of its work in Africa In 2011, the National Opinion Research Institute (NORC) laid the foundation for measuring the development and success […]
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AbTF Publishes Successful Verification Results

01.04.2014
Independent Auditors Verify that all CmiA Partners in Sub-Saharan Africa Grow Cotton According to CmiA Standard According to the latest results of the independent verification […]
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New cooperation for African smallholder farmers

17.03.2014
Cotton made in Africa becomes cooperation partner of “Platz schaffen mit Herz” The Hamburg-based company OTTO will today launch its new clothing donation system through […]
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CmiA shows strong support for women in Sub-Saharan Africa

06.03.2014
United Nations International Women’s Day on 3-08-2014 Strong women are an essential key to sustainable development. The Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) Initiative and the […]
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CmiA Farmer Business Schools

21.02.2014
Business management training courses for smallholder cotton farmers Since May 2012, Cotton made in Africa and the Competitive African Cotton Initiative (Compaci) invest in business […]
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Cotton made in Africa grows further

12.02.2014
Initiative Publishes New Data on Production and Sales Smallholder cotton farmers in even more countries in Sub Saharan Africa cooperate with the Cotton made in […]
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AbTF Intensifies Dialogue with African Retail Market

28.01.2014
Young Kenya Based Economist Janet Mumassabba in an Interview about Challenges and Opportunities for CmiA in Sub Saharan Africa The Aid by Trade Foundation is […]
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German Ambassador visits school project in Benin

23.01.2014
Ambassador Hans Jörg Neumann Meets Cotton Farmers and Pupils of CmiA School Project In the context of the German-Beninese cooperation German Ambassador, Hans Jörg Neumann, […]
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NGOs Launch Forum for Dialog on Sustainable Cotton

23.01.2014
WWF and Welthungerhilfe: “Cotton made in Africa offers textile companies practical alternatives for using sustainable raw materials” At the kick-off of the Berlin Fashion Week, […]
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Aid by Trade Foundation adopts CmiA standard vol.3

01.01.2014
Foundation expands CmiA performance expectations with the introduction of new criteria With immediate effect the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) adopts its CmiA standard vol. […]
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CmiA Textiles now Available for Textile Wholesalers Worldwide

04.12.2013
Top Grade International joins the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative demand alliance. The Hong Kong based company sells clothing to wholesalers, retail chains, and […]
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Cotton made in Africa Wins PR Bild Award

26.11.2013
The Cotton made in Africa Initiative (CmiA) is thrilled about the award for “Best Portrait 2013” at this year’s PR Bild Awards. Tina Stridde, spokeswoman […]
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7. CmiA and COMPACI Stakeholder Conference in Tanzania

13.11.2013
From October 23 to 25 the seventh stakeholder conference of Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and the Competitive African Cotton Initiative (COMPACI) took place at […]
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SUSTAINEO-Study on the effectiveness of certifications now online!

31.10.2013
What benefit do smallholders have from certifications? Can certifications contribute to improving the living conditions and to a positive development of the rural areas in […]
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Cotton made in Africa and Compaci present activity report 2012

26.09.2013
We look forward to presenting you our activitiy report for the year 2012. In cooperation with the Competitive African Cotton Initiative, we report on our […]
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Cotton made in Africa nominated for the PR Image Award

15.08.2013
It all began as an exclusive cooperation with fashion and celebrity photographer Albert Watson in Benin. Now the journey goes on: For the Aid by […]
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Cotton made in Africa-exhibition in Cologne crowned by Fashion Show

02.08.2013
Since April 28 the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum has shown over 40 exclusive and impressive photographs by Albert Watson, one of the most successful fashion and portrait […]
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Cotton made in Africa grows further

01.08.2013
More and more people cooperate with Cotton made in Africa. In the last harvest season, around 475,000 smallholder farmers from Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia […]
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World Farmers’ Day 2013

01.06.2013
June 1, 2013 marked the eleventh World Farmers’ Day, founded by UNESCO and the UN to call attention to the importance of agriculture for the […]
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CmiA in 2012 Farm & Fiber Report

22.05.2013
We are delighted to announce that Cotton made in Africa is part of the Farm & Fiber report for 2012. You want to learn more […]
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Cotton made in Africa Fashion Contest

08.05.2013
To mark the occasion of the Cotton made in Africa Fashion Contest, design student Michelle Thornhill created a t-shirt that combines traditional African prints with […]
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Albert Watson: 14 Days in Benin in the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum

12.04.2013
For decades Albert Watson has been one of the most successful fashion and portrait photographers in the world. Until now cotton farmers in the West […]
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Cotton made in Africa cotton from Benin temporarily suspended

11.02.2013
The Aid by Trade Foundation has informed its partners that the verification of CmiA cotton from Benin will be suspended with immediate effect. The Foundation […]
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Sade Adu visites Cotton made in Africa

14.09.2012
Yesterday  the Deichtorhallen Hamburg opened the Albert Watson: Visions feat. Cotton made in Africa exhibition in the House of Photography. At its heart are 36 […]
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Cotton made in Africa to stay entirely free of genetically modified cotton

21.08.2012
GM or genetically modified cotton is controversial. Proponents claim it allows for higher yields while lowering the amount of pesticides needed. Opponents argue that the […]
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Cotton made in Africa Takes Rowing Legend Sir Steve Redgrave Aboard

01.08.2012
The British Rowing Champion and Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave has launched his first sports sock collection made from sustainable African cotton — in partnering […]
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One Common Vision for a Sustainable Cotton Industry

27.06.2012
As a part of the Ethical Fashion Week Berlin, the initiatives for sustainable cotton (INBW) will risk a look into the future with their ‘Change […]
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Interview with Dr Didier Kême, Ivoire Coton, and Karidja Thomas, Chairwoman of a Woman’s Cooperative in Ivory Coast

27.06.2012
At the end of last year C&A, a Cotton made in Africa demand alliance partner, organized a Christmas contest through its social media community, asking […]
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How Elias Bonomali Became a Famous Man

10.05.2012
Elias Bonomali is one of around 150,000 cotton farmers in Malawi. He has achieved something many others are still working for: through the cooperation with […]
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“Cotton made in Africa Fashion Contest 2012” Unites Sustainability and Fashion

21.03.2012
“Green is the new black” according to influential fashion critic Suzy Menkes from the International Herald Tribune. This journalist who attends over 600 fashion shows […]
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Julia Starp counts on Cotton made in Africa

21.02.2012
In recent years the issue of sustainability has grown into a social current. While “sustainable fashion” was merely a niche a few years ago, the […]
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Update: CmiA criteria revised

19.01.2012
To further improve the positive impact of its Cotton made in Africa Initiative (CmiA), the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) together with its stakeholders has […]
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Deichtorhallen Hamburg announces Albert Watson exhibition

09.01.2012
Deichtorhallen Hamburg announce the official exhibition programme for 2012 at its annual press conference on Thursday, January 12. In addition to an exhibition on Saul […]
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Cotton made in Africa wins C&A’s Social Media Christmas Campaign

06.01.2012
CmiA has won C&A’s Social Media Christmas Campaign  “The €500,000 Happiness  Giveaway”!  With a healthy margin CmiA received most of the user’s votes and is […]
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CmiA is part of C&A’s Social Media Christmas Campaign “The €500,000 Happiness Giveaway”

02.12.2011
Since October 2011 C&A has been part of the CmiA initiative’s international Demand Alliance. In 2012 the Düsseldorf and Brussels-based fashion company plans to take […]
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5. Cotton made in Africa and COMPACI Stakeholder Conference in Livingstone, Zambia

17.10.2011
The Cotton made in Africa Initiative and Competitive African Cotton Initiative (COMPACI) invited to the 5th Stakeholder Conference in Livingston Zambia. Over 90 representatives from […]
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BCI and CmiA sign MoU

23.09.2011
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) have today, 23 September 2011, signed a MoU. This MoU sets out the intention […]
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Famine in East Africa

03.08.2011
The most devastating drought for decades has taken hold in the Horn of Africa. In some regions in the south of Somalia there is no […]
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South African design for Europe

31.07.2011
Beaches, mountains and the ocean — visitors of the country at the Cape of Good Hope are fascinated by the unique landscape. Now a piece […]
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Cotton made in Africa Verification Report

27.07.2011
Please find here the aggregated summary in French and English of the implementation of CmiA exclusion criteria and sustainability criteria at farm level and for […]
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Muhammad Yunus: “The future belongs to social business”

07.07.2011
The idea by Prof. Muhammad Yunus, an economist from Bangladesh, of helping the world’s poorest people to help themselves out of their situation by offering […]
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“Africa needs a new self-awareness”

06.07.2011
The Berlin film maker Züli Aladaĝ is a Kurd born in Turkey. He is very familiar with the subject of integration. His 2005 drama Wut […]
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CmiA and SAI* would like to invite you to participate in an upcoming Cotton made in Africa webinar on June 15 and/or June 16

09.06.2011
‘Cotton made in Africa’ Initiative’s Positive Water Reduction Research Finds CmiA’s Sustainable Farming & Rainwater Usage Reduces Water-Use by 1,585 Gallons per T-Shirt An independent […]
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James Shikwati joins Aid by Trade Foundation Board of Trustees

23.05.2011
The Aid by Trade Foundation welcomes a new member to its Board of Trustees. James Shikwati, renowned for his criticism of classic development aid, will […]
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Learning to read and write for sustainable development

23.05.2011
Education is the key to sustainable development. This is one of the basic principles of the Cotton made in Africa initiative and reason enough for […]
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Launch of SUSTAINEO

03.05.2011
On Tuesday, 19th of April 2011, an alliance of the renowned entrepreneurs Dr. Michael Otto, Dr. Christian Jacobs and Michael R. Neumann was officially announced […]
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“Polyester is the real enemy of cotton”

24.03.2011
Cotton plants are quite unprepossessing and the fluffy white balls provide little indication of the economic importance of the raw material. Every year over 21 […]
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Welcome to the new Cotton made in Africa website

22.03.2011
You will be welcomed by Fahim, one of our cotton farmers from Benin. Fahim, other farmers and their families relate how they benefit personally from […]
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Interview with Gracious Hamatala

01.01.2011
Magazin: When looking back at the past stakeholder workshop of Cotton made in Africa and COMPACI in Berlin, which three words do you think of […]
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Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) was founded by the entrepreneur Prof. Dr. Michael Otto in 2005. Its parent organisation is the Hamburg-based Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF). CmiA aims to improve the living conditions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa while protecting the environment and increasing transparency in the textile supply chain. Instead of collecting donations, it follows the principle of helping people to help themselves through trade: CmiA-certified cotton is in demand in the global market, with a worldwide alliance of textile companies and brands paying a licensing fee to use the CmiA seal. CmiA then reinvests the licensing revenue towards meeting its objectives, as outlined above. Textiles certified by Cotton made in Africa are marked with a small label for easy identification by consumers.
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