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In Chipata, eastern Zambia, a South–South collaboration significantly strengthened technical skills in artisanal weaving. From October 19th to November 2nd 2025, the Regional Training Workshop on Weaving and Textiles brought together artisans, trainers, and technicians from Zambia, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe with a shared goal: improving technical know-how while increasing local value addition in the cotton and textile value chain.
Organized by the Handloom and Textile Technologies Association of Zambia (HATTAZ) with support from the International Trade Centre (ITC) and We Effect, the workshop falls under the EU–ACP Business Friendly Programme, which supports inclusive policies, investment, and regional alliances. As noted by HATTAZ’s Board Chair during the closing ceremony, “This training proves that with the right skills and partnerships, the weaving sector can become a powerful driver of inclusive industrialization in Africa.”
At the heart of this initiative, the participation of CABES, EFI’s social enterprise partner in Burkina Faso, was decisive for the success of the training. Mobilizing two specialized technicians: Ibrahima Djiga, Production Director, and Rodrigue Zinsou, Textile Technician – the CABES team provided structured, progressive, and inclusive technical support adapted to diverse participants, ranging from women with no formal education to those with basic schooling.
CABES trainers employed a hands-on teaching approach, using professional gestures, standard terminology, and interpreter support, enabling the effective transfer of skills that were previously little known. Modules covered both basic and advanced weaving techniques, including plain weave, twill, cross twill, herringbone and houndstooth, as well as essential loom setup, warping, and knotting techniques.
This expertise greatly expanded participants’ pattern repertoire and improved the quality of their production. Thanks to this technical support, learners were able to transition from basic weaving to higher value-added products, creating bags and other finished goods, demonstrating the economic potential of local textiles when backed by solid skills. CABES’s commitment helped strengthen the capacities of women beneficiaries and laid the foundation for a revival of the textile sector, a potential also recognized by government authorities present during the training.
It is worth noting that CABES is a major development driver in Burkina Faso’s organic cotton value chain, with over 2,400 artisans and 91 cooperatives, providing technical input, capacity building, and advisory support in spinning, dyeing, weaving, and design. Its work spans multiple regions, including the East, North, West, Hauts-Bassins, and Central regions, making its expertise a transferable model at the regional level.
Complementing the Burkinabe expertise, Tanzanian technicians provided practical training on loom construction, including the flying shuttle loom, capable of increasing productivity up to five times compared to traditional looms. This technological innovation generated strong interest, demonstrating greater efficiency, more consistent fabric quality, and high potential for local replication.
For Clement Chilembo, Permanent Secretary of the Eastern Province, “Industrial innovation and the adoption of new technologies are essential to improve efficiency and competitiveness,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to local textiles and artisanal craftsmanship.
Hosted at the Chipata Trades Training Institute, the two-week training brought together 32 participants (20 weavers and 12 carpenters), with strong female participation, reflecting the central role of women in cotton transformation. Beyond weaving, sessions on fashion, sewing, and finishing demonstrated how fabrics can be transformed into marketable products such as bags, accessories, and home textiles, thereby enhancing local economic prospects.
CABES complemented these practical lessons with modules on cost calculation and market access, helping participants better understand the links between production time, yarn consumption, and pricing, with a particular focus on opportunities in hospitality and tourism sectors.
For many beneficiaries, the impact was immediate. Jessie Banda Kapato, from Ndola (Copperbelt Province), explained that the training profoundly enriched her professional practice: “I learned new techniques and a better way to organize weaving. The methods and patterns acquired here will enhance our work in adding value to cotton for farmers.” She also highlighted the personal aspect of weaving, which fosters focus and calm, as well as her desire to pass on these skills within her community.
The certificate ceremony further highlighted the regional significance of the initiative. George Mwanza, Mayor of Chipata, praised a program that, in his words, “connects Africa through creativity and know-how,” calling for the continuation of this spirit of collaboration. By linking CABES’s technical and pedagogical expertise, Tanzanian technological innovation, and Zambian institutional engagement, the programme demonstrates the concrete value of South–South cooperation.
Through skills development and market preparation, the EU–ACP Business Friendly Programme contributes to building a more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable weaving and textile sector at the regional level.
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