Benin

Cotonou, the largest city of Benin is located on the coast. It is the economic centre of the country, with a thriving trade in second-hand cars. But the impression of flourishing commercial activity in this vibrant city does not show the whole truth – neither is it representative for Benin– Benin is one of the poorest countries in the world, with about one third of its population living in extreme poverty. Agriculture is an important economic factor, built mainly on cotton.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world; it ranks 177^th out of 182 countries in the UN Human Development Index. The chances of improvements in people’s conditions of life are decreased by the unfavourable landlocked position of the country, its low rainfall, its lack of mineral resources and its low educational level and productivity. Cotton is both the “heart” and the hope of Burkina’s economy.  

Côte d'Ivoire

Until the early 1980s, Côte d'Ivoire was a model of stability and economic success in Africa. For many years it enjoyed relative prosperity thanks to export revenues from cocoa and coffee. But the country was plunged into political troubles by the economic crisis in the early 1990s, and they are still going on today. Development of the country is hindered by conditions close to civil war. 

Malawi

Malawi hit the world headlines in 2006, when pop star Madonna adopted a child from this land-locked state in South East Africa. Malawi has a population of about 13 million people, and is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa, very much dependent on support from overseas. The large number of young people with HIV infections there has enormous consequences for the country.

Mosambik

Mozambique society is primarily shaped by smallholder farmers from a wide range of population groups. While the greatest share of the population lives in rural areas, the capital Maputo numbers among the most rapidly growing cities in Africa. Here an urban lifestyle is developing, European and African influences are intensely mixing, and a vital cultural scene pulses.

Zambia

The Zambian economy was for a long time concentrated exclusively on the export of copper and copper products; there was no further development in the agricultural sector. The collapse of copper prices in the world market therefore plunged the country into great economic distress. There was also a dramatic spread in HIV and AIDS, which still causes problems for the national economy. But there is also reason for optimism – agriculture and tourism have a lot of potential for economic stability. Cotton is one of the great hopes.