With support from ARISE IIP and SAP systems, Benin Textile turns to SAP to cut carbon emissions, improve cotton traceability, and adopt cleaner production methods as part of Africa’s shift toward sustainable manufacturing.
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is using SAP software to help lower the carbon footprint of Africa’s textile industry. The Dubai-based company has rolled out cloud-based tools including SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP Sustainability Control Tower, and SAP Environmental Health and Safety.
The move is part of ARISE IIP’s wider push to make textile production in Africa more sustainable. The company designs and runs industrial zones across 11 African countries, including Benin, Togo, and Gabon.
The textile industry accounts for about 10% of global emissions. Much of this comes from fibre production, dyeing, manufacturing, and transport. ARISE IIP says these steps offer clear opportunities to improve efficiency and cut emissions.
Vinodanand Jha, Group CIO at ARISE IIP, said the company is using SAP’s tools to bring sustainability data into day-to-day decisions across its operations.
As part of this effort, ARISE IIP tracks over 100 indicators tied to carbon emissions, waste, diversity, and supplier practices. The SAP platform lets the company report on sustainability and compliance in one place.
“At ARISE IIP, sustainability and digitalisation are not parallel tracks—they’re interconnected drivers of how we operate and grow,” said Bhavin Vyas, Chief ESG Officer at ARISE IIP. He added that the system pulls in data in real time, aligned with global reporting standards like the EU Taxonomy and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This helps the company monitor progress and improve performance without delay.
Focus on Benin’s textile sector
Benin is one of Africa’s top cotton producers. It’s also home to Benin Textile, a local company supported by ARISE IIP. The firm makes bed linen and towels using locally grown cotton and exports them to European retailers.
Benin Textile is aiming to cut emissions per garment by over 60%, going from 4.9 kg CO2e to 1.9 kg CO2e. It’s also introducing full cotton traceability down to the farm, using water recycling systems that recover 90% of water, and improving chemical recovery.
According to Vireshwar Joshi, CEO of Benin Textile, SAP’s system allows the company to manage its resources more efficiently and share progress with partners. He said it’s helping the business prepare for the future while staying accountable.
By using SAP’s sustainability and ERP tools, Benin Textile can better align with global rules such as the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS). It can also automate health and safety reports and monitor its ESG performance.
The system helps reduce costs tied to data tracking and risk management. At the same time, it gives a clearer view of how sustainability goals are being met.
Jha said Benin Textile shows how innovation can lead to real changes in how products are made and sold. “Benin Textile is an incredible example of how new innovation can improve sustainable outcomes that benefits not just Africa, but the world,” continued Jha. “Only by transparently and reliably understanding the data can we make decisions that improve both financial, social, and environmental outcomes. Using SAP solutions, ARISE IIP is making Africa thrive through sustainable, green industrial ecosystems.”
Susanna Hasenoehrl, SAP’s Head of Sustainability for Asia Pacific, said that improving supply chains is one way to unlock new business opportunities. She added that ARISE IIP’s work supports local jobs and long-term growth while reducing environmental harm.
(Photo by Unsplash)
