Ministry Of Commerce: Difficulties In The Development Of Cameroon'S Local Cotton Processing Industry

Cameroon Economic Daily reported on October 25 that Kribi will hold the second International Forum on cotton, textile raw materials and accessories from December 10 to 19, 2021, aiming to promote the development of Cameroon's local cotton processing industry. At present, Cameroon's cotton processing rate is only 2%, far below the government's target of 10% in 2020.

The Cameroonian cotton industry company (cicam) is the only cotton processing enterprise in Cameroon. It processes 1600 tons of cotton fiber every year and produces 1500 tons of cotton thread, 800000 meters of cotton cloth and 300 tons of sponge. Due to the impact of foreign products and poor management, cicam's turnover has decreased year by year, from 13.2 billion CFA francs (about 22.76 million US dollars) in 2018 to 7.3 billion CFA francs (about 12.59 million US dollars) in 2020. In July, cicam was forced to close two production plants in Douala because of its inability to pay 1.63 billion CFA (about $2.81 million) gas and electricity bills.

In 2020, the cotton output of Cameroon is 357000 tons, which is the fifth largest cotton fiber exporter in Africa and the twelfth largest cotton fiber exporter in the world. The cotton industry employs 2 million people, accounting for 30% of the rural employment population. Cameroon's textile market is dominated by foreign products, with Asia (mainly China) accounting for 82%, Nigeria for 10%, other African countries for 3%, and cicam accounting for only 5%.

(source: website of the Ministry of Commerce)