In Abidjan, the announcement resonated as a strong signal for the agricultural sector. Received at the office of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Bruno Nabagné Koné, Olivier Parent, accompanied by his delegation, presented a presentation on the renewed ambitions of SOMDIA through SUCAF-CI, its subsidiary historically established in Ferkessédougou in the north of the country. At the heart of this meeting, a new contract plan providing for an envelope of 100 billion FCFA, or nearly 153 million euros, to be deployed over five years. This investment program has three structuring objectives. First, significantly increase national sugar production in order to consolidate the dominant position of SUCAF-CI on the Ivorian market. Then, consolidate the alcohol sector, a historical related activity of the group. Finally, launch a unique project in the corn sector, modeled on the operations carried out by SOMDIA in Cameroon, where corn is transformed into semolina, flour and livestock feed.

This diversification towards cereals marks a strategic turning point for the French group, present in Ivory Coast since 2010 through SUCAF-CI. It responds to a dual challenge, strengthening local agricultural value chains and reducing the country's dependence on imports of processed products. Faced with this dynamic, Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné welcomed the ambition displayed by the group and reaffirmed the availability of his department to support SOMDIA/SUCAF-CI in the implementation of this contract plan. He underlined the strategic nature of the sugar sector for the national economy, called upon to play a driving role in the country's agro-industrial growth.

This renewed partnership reflects the joint desire of the Ivorian State and private investors to consolidate the promising sectors. It remains to be followed, in the coming months, the precise timetable for the deployment of this vast investment program.