West Africa Cotton Improvement Program (WACIP)

The West African Cotton Improvement Program (WACIP), funded by USAID and implemented by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), aimed to increase the incomes of cotton-farming households in Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali from 2007 to 2013. As part of the IFDC consortium, the project focused on adding value to cotton processing by enhancing market access, improving product offerings, and building business capacity for artisan textile businesses. Our efforts supported artisans in cotton-producing regions, fostering innovation in traditional techniques like indigo dyeing, bogolan, and appliqué, thereby contributing to rural economies.

Key Achievements:  

• Sponsored 3 regional training workshops on production efficiency and design in Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso, benefiting 34 artisan enterprises.

• Directly and indirectly impacted 3,866 artisans, with about 80% being women.

• Arranged 8 international product development consultancies, leading to over $1.9 million in sales, 45% of which were from Mali.

• Represented handmade textiles from 16 export-ready artisan enterprises at 5 NY NOW exhibitions and facilitated participation of 18 enterprises at SIAO.

• Organized 7 international buyer incentive trips and established more than 25 market links with notable buyers like Sundance Catalogue and Anthropology.

Donor: USAID (Sub to IFDC)

Start Date: October 2007

End Date: June 2013

Number of Beneficiaries: 3,866 Artisans 

Training Hours: 6,525,808

Number of Businesses Supported: 65