Côte d’Ivoire secures cajou supply for local processors with new financing deal
Ivorian cashew sector celebrates breakthrough financing agreement
Representing over 100,000 tonnes of annual raw cashew nut processing capacity, the Groupement des transformateurs de cajou ivoiriens (GTCI) welcomed a landmark financing agreement signed on June 11, 2026. The tripartite convention brings together the Banque nationale d’investissement (BNI), the Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde (CCA) and national processors to secure raw nut supplies and industrial operations funding.
Local transformation gains critical financial support
In a July 17, 2026 letter addressed to top government officials including President Alassane Ouattara, Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé and industry stakeholders, GTCI president Denis Kouadio expressed deep appreciation for the innovative financing mechanism. The agreement addresses longstanding challenges faced by processors in securing raw materials and working capital during the brief commercialization window.
According to Kouadio, the initiative represents a game-changer for Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew industry, enabling local businesses to:
- Access guaranteed raw nut supplies equivalent to 20% of annual processing needs at season start
- Obtain financing for the remaining 80% through BNI loans
- Secure working capital for year-round industrial and export operations
Government collaboration drives industry transformation
The financing model, developed through coordinated efforts between industry leaders and government institutions, enjoys strong backing from key policymakers. Notable contributors to the agreement include:
- Vice Prime Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara
- Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalil Konaté
- Minister of Economy and Finance Adama Coulibaly
- CCA Director General Mamadou Berté
- BNI CEO Youssouf Fadika and Deputy CEO Jérôme Ahua
The program is designed to foster the emergence of national champions in local cashew processing while accelerating Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial development goals.
Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector poised for growth
As the world’s leading raw cashew producer with annual output nearing 1.5 million tonnes, Côte d’Ivoire currently operates 37 processing facilities with a combined capacity exceeding 830,000 tonnes. Despite processing 43% of its raw nuts locally—ranking second among global almond exporters and third worldwide in processing capacity—the country aims to further boost value addition within its borders.
The new financing mechanism comes at a strategic moment as Côte d’Ivoire shifts focus from raw production expansion to enhancing local transformation capabilities. This evolution promises to:
- Retain greater economic value within the country
- Strengthen industrial infrastructure
- Generate additional employment opportunities
The success of this cashew initiative has sparked discussions about adapting similar financing models to support cocoa sector transformation, potentially creating ripple effects across Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural industrialization efforts.
