On the evening of 25 June, the Hamburg-based Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was awarded the Honorary Award of the German Africa Foundation 2025. Prof Dr Michael Otto, founder of the foundation and renowned entrepreneur, accepted the honour at a ceremony held at the German Bundestag. The award was presented by Dr Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in the presence of distinguished guests from politics, business, civil society and African embassies.

The German Africa Foundation praised AbTF’s longstanding dedication to sustainable economic development through fair trade. Since its establishment in 2005, the Aid by Trade Foundation’s Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative has created decent employment opportunities for smallholder farmers, boosted agricultural output and safeguarded the environment. Today, CmiA is recognised as the world’s leading standard for sustainably produced cotton from Africa.

Dr Kofler described the foundation’s approach as a model of successful public-private cooperation, noting that around one million smallholder farmers and their families across ten African countries now benefit from the initiative. CmiA, which received early support from the BMZ, continues to exemplify the potential of collaboration between business and development cooperation - a goal that will be further strengthened in the coming years.

“Together with more than 60 international trade partners, CmiA is setting a clear example for ecological and social sustainability within the textile industry,” said Prof Dr Michael Otto. Today, CmiA cotton represents about 30% of Africa’s cotton production and is distinguished by its low CO₂ footprint, zero irrigation and GMO-free seeds.

Beyond its economic and environmental impacts, the initiative is deeply committed to social sustainability. This includes farmer training, education and health projects, and the empowerment of women in rural communities. By working hand in hand with local partners, the foundation aims to strengthen local structures for the long term, ensuring that communities can prosper independently and sustainably.

www.cottonmadeinafrica.org