Sudan’s “White Oil” Revolution: A Dormant Cash Resource Resting on a Treasure Trove of Opportunities
Moawia Al-Toum
In Sudan’s economic history, cotton—often referred to as “white oil”—once stood as a cornerstone of national revenue and foreign currency earnings. In the 1970s, cotton accounted for more than half of Sudan’s export revenues before its dominance gradually faded in the wake of the oil boom and administrative decline, absent any compelling reasons.
The vast cotton fields of Al-Jazira, Sennar, and Kordofan once overflowed with white gold destined for global markets, generating revenues that funded the national budget, closed deficits, and drove industrial growth. Yet, due to neglect, poor planning, and a crumbling infrastructure, that agricultural revolution fizzled out. We allowed one of our oldest and most valuable resources to wither in the soil—even as new farmlands were being opened in Sennar, Gedaref, and Halfa.
Today, as the world shifts toward natural fibers and sustainable products, Sudan stands at the threshold of a golden opportunity: to revive this sector and transform it once again into a key economic and financial powerhouse. Arable land remains abundant, water resources are available, and the country’s deep-rooted expertise in cotton cultivation and processing is still alive. What is missing is the political will and an economic vision that treats cotton as a sustainable national project, not just a seasonal crop.
Numbers Sound the Call for a Comeback
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sudan’s annual cotton production has remained steady over the past decade at roughly 600,000 bales (each weighing around 480 pounds, or 220 kg), with an average yield of 653 kg per hectare since the 2019/20 season through 2024/25. These figures are not spectacular, but they form a solid base for growth.
UN data from 2018 shows that Sudan produced about 160,000 tons of cotton that year, with export revenues reaching $156 million. Modest numbers compared to the crop’s historic glory days—but they are clear proof that the sector still stands, and it can rise again.
Meanwhile, arable land remains vast—Sudan possesses 84 million hectares of cultivable land, of which less than 20% is currently used. The potential is enormous if supported by proper infrastructure, care, sound planning, and targeted incentives.
The Problem Isn’t the Land… It’s the Neglect
As long as cotton remains just another crop without a strategic purpose, its role will remain diminished, and the textile industry will stay dormant. Industrial textile production fell from 274 million meters in the 1970s to just 13.7 million meters in 2003—operating at less than 5% of its potential capacity. Yet the factories remain, the conditions for production exist, and the know-how is intact—if policies return to support them.
Why Now Is the Time for Cotton
Global demand for natural fibers remains stable. Countries such as Britain, China, Pakistan, and India continue to require raw cotton and textiles. With its strategic location, abundant water, and skilled workforce, Sudan can redraw the cotton production map with an integrated approach—from farming to manufacturing to export—through innovative strategies and economic formulas that restore cotton’s place among the pillars of national security.
Key Challenges Facing the Sector
The revival of Sudan’s “white oil” faces several obstacles: deteriorating irrigation and mechanization infrastructure, lack of affordable financing for farmers, the collapse of the textile industry to below 10% of its capacity, weak marketing and quality control policies, reduced competitiveness against synthetic fibers, and political as well as security instability that hinders investment and long-term planning.
What Needs to Be Done: Short-Term and Strategic Proposals
1. Rehabilitate agricultural infrastructure—irrigation systems, harvesting, storage facilities, and grading centers.
2. Direct farmer support—affordable financing, improved seeds, guaranteed purchase prices, and a dedicated cotton exchange.
3. Local manufacturing—revitalize and modernize textile factories to add value domestically.
4. Smart export revenue management—reinvest a portion of export earnings into the sector, bolster foreign reserves, and fund development programs.
Bottom Line
Cotton is not just a nostalgic reminder of Sudan’s past—it is a key to rebuilding the economy and unlocking new flows of foreign currency. Sudan must awaken this sleeping giant through a clear national program and tangible incentives, restoring white gold to its rightful place as a driver of economic growth, security, and sustainable development.
Reviving the “white oil” revolution is not an economic luxury—it is a strategic necessity if Sudan is to recover from the ravages of war and build a self-sustaining economy. This single resource could create tens of thousands of jobs, revitalize rural communities, and boost the national budget with desperately needed hard currency.
What Sudan needs now is to treat cotton as a sovereign and security asset—just like gold, petroleum, and gum arabic—and to adopt an ambitious five-year plan starting immediately. Only then can the country reclaim its place on the global cotton map and restore the shine to its white gold—a gleam that can light the way toward economic recovery and future leadership.
