Kiabi Expands Textile Production In Africa With SIPI-Bénin
French fashion retailer Kiabi has launched its inaugural shipment of 80,000 children’s leggings, marking the beginning of a significant collaboration with SIPI-Bénin, a leading manufacturer in Benin.
Kiabi, renowned for its 563 retail outlets across France, Spain, Italy, Africa, the Middle East, and Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM), has aligned orders for 2 million clothing pieces in 2024 and 4 million in 2025 with SIPI-Bénin.
This partnership follows two years of negotiations, underscoring growing confidence in Benin’s manufacturing capabilities and its ability to meet global market standards.
Létondji Beheton, Managing Director of SIPI-Bénin S.A, expressed pride in this milestone, stating, “This first export to Kiabi validates our commitment to showcasing Benin’s textile industry internationally.”
Kiabi’s Sourcing CEO, Penagos Juan, praised the collaboration, noting, “This initiative aligns with Kiabi’s strategy to localize production closer to our retail outlets. With several stores in Africa, including those utilizing the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), we aim to enhance local garment production.”
He emphasized Kiabi’s goal to produce thirty million pieces in Africa, leveraging sustainability and 100% Made in Africa cotton through partnerships like Arise.
Kiabi’s move strengthens GDIZ’s position as a key textile production hub in Africa, alongside contracts with global brands such as The Children’s Place and US Polo Assn. This development coincides with a recent initiative by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to mobilize $12 billion in investments for West Africa’s cotton and textile sectors.
