Ivory coast hosts african textile care leaders to boost industry growth

Since May 20, 2026, the economic hub of Côte d’Ivoire has been hosting the third edition of the African Textile Care Professionals Forum (FAPET) in Abidjan-Plateau. This gathering brings together industry leaders from across Africa to address critical challenges and opportunities in modernizing and industrializing the continent’s textile care sector.

a strategic platform for sustainable transformation

The forum, themed “Structuring, ecological transition, and innovation: steering sustainable industrialization in Africa’s textile care sector”, was inaugurated by a representative of the president of the Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (CESEC), Soro Mamadou, on behalf of Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé.

Highlighting the sector’s growing importance, Soro Mamadou emphasized that what was once viewed as a secondary industry now plays a pivotal role in economic development. He noted its contributions to job creation, environmental sustainability, and service enhancement across key sectors such as healthcare and tourism.

calling for self-reliance and global standards

“Africa must develop its own value chains, upgrade infrastructure, and professionalize its workforce to meet international benchmarks,” Soro Mamadou stated, addressing delegates from across the continent. His remarks underscored the urgency of breaking away from dependency and fostering homegrown solutions.

key challenges and collaborative solutions

Discussions at the forum shed light on persistent hurdles, including the informal nature of many operations, limited technical training, restricted access to financing, and the slow pace of ecological transition. Yoboué Célestin-Arthur, president of the Federation of African Textile Care Professionals (FAPET), highlighted these issues as major barriers to growth.

He also commended the strong engagement of sector leaders, including Fayçal Belaroussi, vice president of FAPET and head of Algeria’s National Association of Pressing and Laundry Services, and Adebayo, president of the Fabricare Professionals and Dryclean Association.

building partnerships for a modernized industry

With a focus on Côte d’Ivoire’s economic development, organizers aim to turn this platform into a catalyst for sector growth through knowledge sharing, public-private partnerships, and the adoption of innovative, eco-friendly practices.

The three-day event, running from May 20 to 22, 2026, will prioritize discussions on managing hospital, industrial, and household textiles, as well as exploring pathways for industrializing Africa’s textile care industry.