From high-level talks at the Marina Palace with President Romuald Wadagni to the factory floors of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone and the launch of the Obale brand in Cotonou, Afreximbank President George Elombi’s visit underscored one central objective: positioning Benin as a competitive industrial hub—one that transforms its own raw materials, builds African brands and expands its footprint in regional and global markets.
After the meeting with President Wadagni, Afreximbank President George Elombi toured the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, visiting the Benin Textile factory, where local cotton is spun into yarn and finished beddings and towels. He also inspected the African Ceramics Solutions, producer of ELANO ceramic tiles, and electric mobility company Spiro Benin. The visit comes as Afreximbank stats show Africa continues to import about $50 billion worth of textiles and apparel each year, despite producing some of the world’s largest cotton harvests, while accounting for less than 2% of global textile processing capacity. Afreximbank, the Government of Benin, ARISE IIP and Benin Textile are betting on local value addition—building an integrated textile industry that transforms African cotton into finished products and creates home-grown brands to keeps more economic value on the continent.
« Ministers, this is also an opportunity for me to say thank you—to thank the Government of Benin. I want to thank His Excellency Romuald Wadagni and his predecessor. They made a decision. They did what English speakers would call a deliberate, calculated and conscious decision. They did not act blindly. One day, they stood up and said, ‘Enough is enough. It’s time to change things.’ And they pursued that decision with determination and purpose. »
George Elombi, Président of Afreximbank – Cameroun
Afreximbank’s investment in Benin’s textile industry is now moving beyond manufacturing into brand creation. In Cotonou, the bank joined partners to launch Obalè—the first premium beddings and home linen brand to emerge from the country’s integrated textile value chain. Since operations began in November 2024, Benin Textile has established an end-to-end production ecosystem, from cotton processing to finished home textiles, and is now building consumer brands designed to compete in African and international markets. This industrial push has already created 16000 jobs in Benin, with expansion plans extending to Nigeria, Cameroon and Togo.
« What is equally important is that there are now 16,000 people going to work every single day. Today, I visited the industrial zone. When you see these young men and women eager to walk into those factories every morning, you realize what has been achieved. You have created hope—not only for them, but also for the other 200,000 people who are still looking for jobs. Because they now believe that it is possible. »
Gagan Gupta, Président & CEO ARISE IIP – India
“ »We are joining the very exclusive circle of luxury furniture brands. Our first market begins with setting the example ourselves. And that example is not limited to Benin, as you rightly said—it starts within Africa.”
Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, Minister of Industry and Trade – Bénin
With the global textile and apparel market projected to exceed 2 trillion Euros by 2030, Benin is positioning itself across the full value chain — from cotton processing to the creation of African consumer brands. Beyond the launch of Obalè, the partnership between Benin and Afreximbank is accelerating the development of an integrated textile industry that has already created 16,000 jobs and is now focused on building globally competitive African brands.
