Côte d’Ivoire expands cashew processing with major industrial investments

Côte d’Ivoire is seeing significant industrial expansion in its cashew sector through new large-scale processing investments.

Indian firm Essar Biofuels plans to invest approximately $75 million to establish an industrial unit dedicated to producing Cardanol from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). This project, which involves a memorandum of understanding with the Conseil Coton, Anacarde et Karité and CEPICI, aims to create what is described as the largest Cardanol production plant in the world. The initiative seeks to increase local value addition, create jobs, and generate carbon credits.

Simultaneously, Dubai-based Dorado FZCO is expanding its footprint in the country. The company is negotiating a $15 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to fund an $18 million cashew processing plant in Yamoussoukro. Once operational in early 2027, this facility will add 50,000 tons of annual capacity. Combined with its existing operations in Toumodi, Dorado expects to reach a total processing capacity of at least 170,000 tons per year in Côte d’Ivoire.