Sadio Mané launches US$20m agro-industrial project in Bambali

Senegalese football star Sadio Mané has launched the SM10 Agro project, a US$20 million agro-industrial complex in his hometown of Bambali, located in the Sédhiou region. The project marks a transition from traditional philanthropy to productive rural investment.

The facility will occupy approximately 500 hectares and is designed to process up to 8,500 tonnes of mangoes annually. By producing value-added goods such as mango pulp, dried fruit, and mango butter, the project aims to reduce the significant post-harvest losses in the Casamance region, where an estimated 30% to 45% of fruit is lost due to insufficient storage and processing infrastructure.

Construction is expected to take 18 months. The project is projected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs at the start of operations, with potential for further expansion. The initiative includes a training center and research operations to support local farmers and agricultural development.