Ivory coast hosts african textile care leaders to boost industrial growth

For the third consecutive year, Abidjan has become the epicenter of Africa’s textile care revolution as the African Textile Care Professionals Forum (ATCPF) kicks off its latest edition. The event, running from May 20 to 22, 2026, at the Plateau district, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the continent to tackle the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of textile maintenance in Africa.

Themed “Building Sustainable Value Chains: Ecological Transition and Innovation in Africa’s Textile Care Sector”, this year’s forum was inaugurated by Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, representing the president of Côte d’Ivoire’s Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (ESEC).

In his opening address, Dr. Aka Aouélé emphasized that the textile care industry is no longer a secondary economic player but a cornerstone of job creation, environmental sustainability, and service excellence in sectors like healthcare and hospitality. “Africa must take charge of its own value chains, upgrade its infrastructure, and standardize its practices to meet global benchmarks,” he declared to delegates from over 15 African nations.

The forum highlighted persistent hurdles, including the informal nature of many operations, the scarcity of technical training programs, and limited access to financing. Yoboué Célestin-Arthur, president of the ATCPF, stressed the urgency of addressing these gaps while accelerating the sector’s ecological transition.

Speakers also underscored the critical role of collaboration. Fayçal Belaroussi, vice-president of the ATCPF and head of Algeria’s National Pressing and Laundry Association, and Mr. Adebayo, president of the Fabricare Professionals and Dryclean Association, shared success stories from their respective regions, showcasing how structured initiatives can drive progress.

With a strong focus on hospital linen management, industrial-scale textile processing, and household laundry solutions, this edition aims to foster public-private partnerships and promote eco-friendly technologies. Organizers hope to position the forum as a catalyst for long-term industrial growth in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.