AbTF Powers Ahead With Sustainable Cotton And Cashmere

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has announced strong results for the 2024 financial year, underscoring its role as a global driver of sustainable raw materials in the textile industry. Through its flagship initiatives Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and the Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), the foundation continued to scale impact across farming communities, ecosystems and global supply chains.

Founded in 2005 by German entrepreneur Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, AbTF has built its mission on the principle of “Aid by Trade” using market forces to improve livelihoods and protect nature. Today, more than 3,000 international supply chain partners rely on AbTF standards, connecting smallholder farmers and herders to global markets.

Cotton Made in Africa: Sustainable Cotton for a Global Market
In 2024, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) strengthened its reach across Sub-Saharan Africa, engaging nearly 800,000 smallholder farmers. Training programmes focussed on soil health, climate resilience and biodiversity protection, while community projects provided clean water, improved education, and advanced gender equality.

CmiA cotton continues to demonstrate measurable environmental benefits. On average, its cultivation requires 99% less water and generates 13% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than global cotton production benchmarks. Leading retailers such as OVS Group and CWS Workwear integrated CmiA-verified cotton into their collections, backed by AbTF’s Hard Identity Preserved traceability system.

Good Cashmere Standard: Ethical Animal Welfare and Strong Demand
The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) expanded its market recognition in 2024, attracting new international fashion partners and boosting demand for certified cashmere. More than 5,500 herders in Inner Mongolia now participate in the programme, which covers the welfare of 2.4 million goats.

With licensing income rising 23% year-on-year, GCS continues to set benchmarks for animal welfare, sustainable grazing, and improved livelihoods for herding communities.

Financial Performance: Market-Driven Growth
AbTF achieved revenues of €8.6 million in 2024, up 6.1% from the previous year. Licensing and partnership contributions accounted for 88% of total income, underlining the foundation’s unique model of financing development through trade rather than donations.

• Programme implementation accounted for 68% of expenditures.
• Community cooperation projects received 10%.
• Net income closed at €3.2 million, ensuring reinvestment in innovation, traceability, and climate initiatives.

Future Outlook: Scaling Climate and Biodiversity Initiatives
AbTF is investing in future-oriented programmes that enhance supply chain transparency and support climate adaptation. The newly launched Biodiversity Fund, endowed with €500,000, will finance conservation projects in Africa, beginning with community-led savannah management in Tanzania.

Tina Stridde, Managing Director of AbTF commented, “Our vision is to support farming communities and restore nature by mobilising the private sector. The strong results of 2024 confirm that sustainable raw materials are not just possible, but scalable. Together with our partners, we will continue to make agricultural production practical, fair and future-proof.”