This project illustrates Benin’s ability to adhere to strict quality standards and satisfy the demands of the global market.
Benin’s GLO-DJIGBE on July 9, 2024 — With great pride, Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) (www.GDIZ-Benin.com) announces its first shipment of clothing that is “Made in Benin” to Europe. This initial shipment includes 80,000 finely made children’s leggings that are headed for the esteemed French brand KIABI.KIABI is a well-known retail chain that operates about 563 retail locations in France, Spain, Italy, Africa, the Middle East, and Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM), providing clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and newborns. With an order alignment of 2 million clothing pieces for 2024 and 4 million for 2025, this order initiates a fruitful partnership between SIPI-Bénin and KIABI.
This first export of 80,000 “Made in Benin” children’s leggings, painstakingly constructed within the Zone, follows two years of talks and negotiations and marks a critical turning point in the growth of the country’s textile sector. This project demonstrates Benin’s ability to maintain high standards of quality while satisfying the demands of the global market.By joining renowned companies like US POLO ASSN and The Children’s Place (TCP), with whom apparel supply agreements have already been inked, KIABI further solidifies GDIZ’s standing as a crucial hub for the manufacturing of textiles in Africa.
“This is a source of immense pride for us and serves as tangible proof of our commitment to promoting the Beninese textile industry on the international stage,” said Mr. Létondji BEHETON, Managing Director of SIPI-Bénin S.A. It is the start of a lengthy export journey for the French brand KIABI. We plan to produce 2 million pieces of clothing for KIABI by the end of 2024, proving that we can reach global standards without sacrificing quality. At the moment, KIABI is planning to increase its retail presence in Africa and is concentrating more on working with the continent for its clothing manufacture. Benin’s workforce is highly skilled and dynamic, making it well-positioned to take advantage of the new market prospects presented by KIABI.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the Investment & Promotion Company for Industry in Benin (SIPI-Bénin S.A), responsible for the development, promotion, and management of GDIZ,” stated Mr. Penagos JUAN, CEO of KIABI Sourcing.
This project is a great fit with KIABI’s plan to relocate our production facilities closer to our retail locations. We currently have multiple locations around Africa, and we are now making KIABI clothing locally because of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ). By combining sustainability and using cotton that is 100% Made in Africa, ARISE proves to be the perfect partner to help us reach our goal of producing thirty million pieces in Africa. We are thrilled to be embarking on this thrilling adventure with ARISE and the Republic of Benin. We are just getting started.
