The Cotton and Cashew Council and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Company (SOGEDI) formalized, on February 14, 2025, a major partnership by signing an agreement for the transfer of management of three agro-industrial zones dedicated to cashew. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani. Three industrial hubs to strengthen local processing As part of the project to promote the competitiveness of the cashew value chain, three agro-industrial zones have been developed in the localities of Korhogo, Bondoukou and Séguéla. These infrastructures, built on a total area of more than 50 hectares, aim to significantly increase the national processing capacity. Their operation, from the 2026 campaign, should make it possible to process at least 150,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, thus strengthening local added value and reducing dependence on exports of raw materials. According to the Minister of State, these industrial zones were designed to provide an environment conducive to the establishment and development of processing units. They include essential infrastructure, including suitable roads, an efficient electrical network, a water tower, telecom coverage, storage warehouses, weighbridges, drying areas and a treatment plant. These developments aim to optimize the logistics and productivity of companies in the sector. A strong commitment to local transformation This project is fully in line with the national strategy for the transformation of raw materials, with an ambitious objective: to locally process 50% of national cashew production by 2030. The minister stressed that this initiative will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the Ivorian sector and establishing its international influence. The signing of this agreement was signed between Mamadou Berté, Director General of the Cotton and Cashew Council, and Mamadou Diomandé, Director General of SOGEDI. This collaboration marks a decisive step towards the industrialization of the cashew sector in Côte d'Ivoire, thus reinforcing the country's ambition to become a major player in the sector on a global scale. As a reminder, Côte d'Ivoire remains the world's leading producer of cashew nuts, with production reaching 1.22 million tonnes in 2023. Over the first six months of 2024, this production is estimated at 867,528 tonnes.