FIFA President meets Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as C4+ Intiative berths
FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is Director-General of World Trade Organization at a conference to berth the C4+ initiative.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a groundbreaking collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), has highlighted the transformative potential of utilizing football as a catalyst for economic inclusion in West Africa.
This initiative was emphasized during a special event held in Abu Dhabi, convened around the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference chaired by former Nigerian minister of finance and WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
At the core of this partnership lies the Cotton-4 plus (C4+) program, aimed at harnessing football’s power to drive economic growth and empowerment in developing nations. Infantino emphasized the need to create tangible impacts on people’s lives beyond the pitch, emphasizing the transformative potential of football.
Through the C4+ initiative, FIFA aims to spotlight the economic significance of cotton production in West Africa, particularly in countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali. Infantino highlighted the immense economic value of football globally, with Europe currently generating nearly USD 270 billion. By expanding the football economy beyond Europe, Infantino believes Africa can play a pivotal role in economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala echoed Infantino’s sentiments, emphasizing the untapped economic potential of the sports apparel market in Africa and the need to create value-added products on the continent.
The partnership between FIFA and WTO seeks to leverage football’s global appeal to promote sustainable development and economic empowerment, with a specific focus on the C4+ cotton-producing countries in Africa. As part of its commitment, FIFA has pledged to incorporate C4+ cotton products into its programs, driving investment and development in African value chains.
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s dedication to supporting countries worldwide through initiatives such as Football for Schools, which aims to utilize sportswear produced in C4+ countries.
Overall, FIFA’s partnership with WTO represents a significant step towards harnessing football’s power to drive economic empowerment and sustainable development in West Africa and beyond. The event also featured contributions from key stakeholders, including government ministers from the UAE, Chad, Benin, and Mali, highlighting the collaborative effort to promote sustainable development through trade and football.
