Cotton Sector Gets a Platform, Hopes to Bloom


Cotton Sector Gets a Platform, Hopes to Bloom

The National Cotton Stakeholder Platform was officially launched last week at Best Western Hotel seeking to foster better governance, regional collaboration and inclusive growth in the industry. Stakeholders from the ministries of industry and agriculture, as well as cotton producer associations, and textile industry associations signed the MoU marking the launch. State Minister for Agriculture, Melese Mekonen, stated that due to the unstructured organization between the stakeholders, authorities were unable to get partners in the sector. He stated the sector needs growth in value and capacity to use its full potential, adding that new policies and regulations are in place to facilitate a better way of working. With a capacity of 3 million hectares, only 3pc of the land is cultivated with cotton. Half of this land is commercialized while the other half is held by small landholding farmers. Around 70pc of the cultivated land is rainfed with the balance irrigated. Samson Assefa, lead executive of cotton cultivation at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), presented the cost of production of rainfed cotton is 1.17 dollars per kg, while the irrigated version is 1.7 dollars per kg, averaging 1.44 dollars per kg. He added that cotton production is now challenged by diminished labour participation, causing operational problems. The Ministry expects 65,000tn of cotton from 110,000hct this year. Another MoU was signed between the MoA and the International Cotton Advisory Committee, strengthening international cooperation in the cotton sector and enabling Ethiopia to utilize ICAC's data.

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

Korenti, Agelegel Microfinance Ink EV Financing Deal

Korenti Auto Trading PLC has signed a strategic agreement with Agelegel Microfinance to provide accessible financing options for electric vehicle (EV) buyers. The partnership seeks to ease EV ownership by offering fair pricing and loan packages with affordable rates. The initiative supports Ethiopia's push for clean transport and aligns with national sustainability goals. Korenti's managing director said the move reflects the company's commitment to expanding electric mobility. Customers can now...


Radar

NBE Leads Week-Long Bank Supervision Application Forum

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is hosting a week-long Bank Supervision Application (BSA) User Group meeting that began on July 7, 2025. The BSA system, developed by a pan-African consortium of central banks including the NBE, automates supervisory work for financial regulators. NBE will take over the rotating BSA chairmanship in September. Opening the session, Frezer Ayalew, Director of Bank Supervision, stressed the need for modern tools to handle growing regulatory demands amid cyberse...


Radar

Six Fuel Companies Banned, Seven Warned, Authority Noted Illicit Activity

The Ethiopian Petroleum & Energy Authority has taken disciplinary action against 13 fuel distribution companies for illegally trading 2.8 million litres of fuel outside the digital system in the past two months. Six firms face a one-month suspension from the fuel import and trading market, while seven others received final warnings and must rectify their operations within a month. Director General Destawe Mekwanant (PhD) said the companies failed to monitor fuel stations and ensure proper...