This Policy Brief introduces a series of synthesis papers on the relationship between cotton sector structure and performance, drawing on recent studies of cotton sectors across Africa. The series is targeted at the wide range of stakeholders involved in cotton sector reforms in West and Central Africa (WCA). This introductory brief focuses on the cotton sector structural model most prevalent in WCA—the ‘filière integrée’. The brief reviews the early successes of the ‘filière integrée’ approach and the more recent history of crisis and reforms. This sets the stage for comparisons between the ‘filière integrée’ system of WCA and other systems that are described in subsequent briefs.