Kenya’s Cotton, Textile and Apparel (CTA) Policy, 2024

Source: Pexels

The Cotton, Textile, and Apparel (CTA) Policy represents Kenya’s commitment to rejuvenating a sector that once thrived as a cornerstone of the country's economy. While it has not yet been passed, this policy aims to increase cotton production, enhance value addition, generate employment, and promote skills development, all while ensuring sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.

The CTA policy is designed with a forward-looking approach, acknowledging both historical challenges and current realities. It focuses on creating an enabling environment for robust growth across all stages of the value chain, from cotton farming to textile production and apparel manufacturing. The goal is to sustainably increase cotton production and processing, while generating employment, expanding exports, and significantly boosting the manufacturing share of Kenya’s GDP.

Policy Goal and Objectives

The primary goal of the CTA policy is to transform the sector into a globally competitive, inclusive, and sustainable industry that drives economic growth, creates jobs, and enhances trade and investment opportunities for Kenya. This overarching objective is supported by a set of targeted goals:

1. Increase Cotton Production: The policy seeks to improve cotton farming through the distribution of high-quality seeds, the adoption of better farming techniques, and farmer training programmes. This will ensure the long-term viability and profitability of cotton farming.

2. Boost Value Addition: By promoting investment in ginneries, textile mills, and apparel manufacturing, the policy aims to add more value to raw cotton, enhancing the competitiveness of Kenyan-made textiles and apparel both locally and internationally.

3. Create Employment and Develop Skills: The policy aims to generate sustainable jobs across the value chain, from cotton farming to textile production. Skills development initiatives will also target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to foster inclusive growth.

4. Enhance Market Access: The policy will leverage Kenya’s trade agreements, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the East African Community (EAC) trade frameworks, to expand market access for Kenyan textiles and apparel. This will include enhancing trade facilitation infrastructure to reduce barriers and increase export opportunities.

5. Promote Sustainability: The CTA policy integrates sustainability principles by encouraging environmentally responsible practices, including green manufacturing, climate-smart farming, and low-carbon emissions. These measures are aligned with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030.

6. Enhance Innovation, Research, and Development: The policy aims to create a conducive environment for innovation, fostering research and development (R&D) within the CTA sector to keep pace with global trends and technological advancements.

Key Policy Initiatives in the Bill

Several initiatives have been outlined to catalyse the growth of the CTA sector:

• Distribution of Quality Cotton Seeds: To ensure better yields, the policy supports the provision of high-quality seeds to farmers.

• Modernisation of Ginneries and Textile Mills: The policy supports the upgrade of outdated machinery in ginneries and textile mills to improve production efficiency and reduce costs.

• Upskilling of Textile Clusters: Capacity building within textile clusters will be a focus, aimed at improving the skillset of the workforce to meet the sector’s demands.

• Minimum Guaranteed Price for Cotton Lint: To support cotton farmers, the policy proposes setting a minimum guaranteed price for cotton lint to encourage more production and secure farmer incomes.

• Public-Private Partnerships and FDI: The policy encourages collaboration between the government and private sector, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI), to drive innovation, infrastructure development, and market access.

• Promotion of Special Economic Zones (SEZs): These zones will provide an ideal environment for export-oriented manufacturing, offering incentives to both local and foreign investors in the CTA sector.

Environmental and Social Sustainability

Recognising the adverse environmental impacts of the sector, such as greenhouse gas emissions, chemical pollutants, and textile waste, the policy integrates sustainability throughout the value chain. It aims to reduce the ecological footprint of the CTA sector by promoting circularity in production processes, green manufacturing techniques, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

The policy also acknowledges the role of the sector in contributing to Kenya’s broader environmental goals, including fulfilling the country’s climate commitments. By adopting low-carbon technologies and promoting sustainable farming practices, the CTA policy aligns with Kenya’s global obligations and national development priorities.

Implementation Framework and Stakeholder Collaboration

The development of the CTA policy was guided by a consultative approach, involving key stakeholders across the CTA value chain. These stakeholders include government ministries, private sector players, development partners, financial institutions, and research institutions. This collaborative process was essential in identifying the strategic gaps and opportunities within the sector.

Moving forward, the policy will be implemented through a whole-of-government approach, ensuring synergy and coordination between all relevant players. The policy’s success depends on the active involvement of these stakeholders, with clear roles and responsibilities outlined at both the national and county levels.

Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure the effective implementation of the CTA policy, a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework will be put in place. This will track the progress of key policy initiatives, measure their impact, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve the desired outcomes. Regular reviews will be conducted to ensure that the policy remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities within the CTA sector.

Conclusion

Kenya’s Cotton, Textile, and Apparel policy presents a strategic and comprehensive framework for revitalising the sector. By addressing the sector’s historical challenges and tapping into its potential, the policy aims to increase cotton production, enhance value addition, create jobs, and promote sustainable practices. With the right investments, partnerships, and innovations, Kenya has the opportunity to reclaim its position as a competitive player in the global cotton and apparel market.