It was in 2020 that AGROCI officially entered production. Behind this industrial project is the Kirène group, born in 2001 in Senegal with the launch of an eponymous mineral water, before expanding to the entire sub-region as a specialist in fruit nectars. The establishment in Ivory Coast is the result of an assumed faith in the Ivorian economic potential, as declared by the company's management during the launch. Financed to the tune of 40 million euros, or 26.2 billion CFA francs, with the support of more than 40% from the World Bank, through its International Finance Corporation (IFC) branch, the project is immediately sized to have a significant impact on the market. The factory is built on an area of ​​approximately 9 hectares in the Bonoua industrial zone, equipped with production tools meeting international standards. From the outset, 90 to 95% of the staff recruited are Ivorian, including more than 30% women, reflecting a strong local employment policy.

A portfolio of products anchored in the region

AGROCI first became known for the marketing of Kirène mineral water on the Ivorian market, before developing a range of carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. But it is with the Présséa brand that the company revealed all its industrial ambition. In partnership with Tetra Pak, the world leader in food packaging, AGROCI launched in 2021 a line of 100% Ivorian natural juices, without preservatives, artificial colors or added sugar. This positioning responds to a glaring market observation. At the time of the launch, 80% of natural juices consumed in Côte d'Ivoire were imported, making local products very expensive for the ordinary consumer. With an annual production capacity of 30 million liters of juice under the Présséa brand, AGROCI has set itself the objective of covering 50% of national demand. In 2022, the company also launched a new 200 ml packaging format to adapt to the consumption habits of Ivorian households.

A considerable impact on the industry

The impact of AGROCI on the Ivorian economic fabric is concrete and measurable. The company generated 180 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs shortly after its start-up. Its total production capacity (mineral water and drinks combined) is estimated at 250 million liters per year, positioning the factory as one of the most efficient in the sector in West Africa. In terms of quality, AGROCI has obtained certifications to international standards at all stages of its production chain, from manufacturing to points of sale. The company also displays a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy oriented towards the well-being of local communities and the preservation of the environment, with sustainable practices integrated into its industrial model. Its strategic partnership with Tetra Pak (which provides state-of-the-art processing and packaging equipment) strengthens its export competitiveness and opens up prospects for other West African markets. 

In a few years, AGROCI has gone from the status of an industrial project to that of a reference in the Ivorian agri-food sector. In a country where agricultural raw materials are abundant but where local processing remains insufficient, Bonoua's company embodies a concrete response to the challenge of industrialization. By combining foreign capital, high-level technological partnerships and local roots, AGROCI demonstrates that food sovereignty and industrial competitiveness are not incompatible, provided that the necessary will and investments are made.