This summary report is based on a cross-cutting analysis of the present status of the cottonseed systems in nine African countries: three in West Africa (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal), two in Central Africa (Cameroon and Chad), two in East Africa (Ethiopia and Tanzania), and two in Southern Africa (Mozambique and Zambia). Out of these nine countries, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Ethiopia may be considered as major cotton producers in Africa (more than 50,000 metric tons of fibre produced each year). Together, they represent almost half of the African cotton production. The goal of this cross-cutting analysis is (i) to bring out the main characteristics of each cottonseed system studied, including the challenges to be addressed, (ii) to identify common and divergent features among these systems, and (iii) to draw lessons and propose recommendations for improving current cottonseed systems on a global scale in Africa. To do so, the full report describes and analyses the organisation of the cottonseed sector of each country, compares the situations between these countries, highlights the challenges encountered, and proposes actions to tackle some of the major challenges. This analysis considers four components of the seed system: (1) breeding and germplasm performance, (2) variety release, (3) seed production, and (4) seed management. For each component, a number of indicators cover the various activities and coordination mechanisms that have been put in place to guarantee the quality of the seed that reaches the farmers. Finally, the analysis proposes seven fields of action that can be adapted to the particular local situation and prioritized depending on their applicability, potential impact, resources available and urgency: - “Setting up an inclusive system for the cotton sector” is easy to implement: it mainly requires political and stakeholders' will; - “Providing quality seed”, “Selecting adapted seed areas”, and “Improving environmental sust