New York City – September 24, 2026 -- The Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership (TACP), a new trade initiative shipping traceable U.S.-grown cotton directly to African manufacturers, launched during the UN General Assembly in New York City before private sector, investor, and government representatives.
Lesotho's Prime Minister Frames TACP as Industrial Bridge Between Continents
Prime Minister Sam Matekane delivered the keynote address, describing the initiative as an opportunity to build a productive industrial relationship connecting the U.S. and Africa beyond a simple cotton trading arrangement.
Mauritius Positions Itself as Investment Gateway to Broader African Markets
Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives Ameer Meea signed onto TACP, outlining a model where American cotton is transformed through African industry and craftsmanship before returning to the U.S. market as finished garments, creating value on both sides of the Atlantic. He said Mauritius, with a domestic market of 1.3 million people, wants American investors to use the country as a platform for wider African investment.
Kenya Targets Role as Regional Textile and Apparel Manufacturing Hub
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said integrated cotton, textile, and apparel value chains are essential for Africa's industrialization and export growth. He noted Kenya's existing strength in garment assembly and said the partnership aligns regional manufacturing capacity with global market standards.
US Africa Trade Desk Builds Compliance and Logistics Infrastructure for Cross-Border Trade
The US Africa Trade Desk (USATD) is developing a demand-driven trade model that directly connects U.S. suppliers with African buyers and vice versa. The organization is advancing compliance, logistics, and financing systems to enable cross-border commerce of finished products using U.S. goods for U.S. consumers, with traceability allowing buyers to identify the specific U.S. farm and African manufacturing plant behind each product.