Sadio Mané opens $20 million mango factory in his hometown

Senegalese football star Sadio Mané has started a CFA11.7bn ($20.4m) agro-industrial project in Bambali, his hometown in southern Senegal. This project aims to boost mango processing and create jobs for the local community.

Ecofin Agency reported on Monday that the project, called SM10 Agro, was launched on September 19 in Bambali, located in the Sédhiou Region.

The new complex will have a processing plant that can handle 8,500 tonnes of mangoes each year. It will produce mango pulp, dried fruit, and mango butter.

There will also be a 500-hectare plantation dedicated to Kent mangoes.

This project is situated in Casamance, which is Senegal’s top mango-producing area. Unfortunately, there are not many processing facilities, leading to significant losses after harvest.

Senegal loses around 30 to 45 percent of its harvested fruit every year. Poor farming methods, issues with harvesting and transport, and few processing options are some of the reasons behind these losses, according to Ecofin Agency.

At the launch, Mané expressed his desire for his legacy to go beyond football.

“I don’t want to be remembered only for the goals I scored. Before the stadiums, the lights and the victories, there was, of course, Bambali. This is where my dreams began… We want to help create jobs and develop agriculture,” Mané said.

The new facility is expected to help process more mangoes locally. This includes fruits that may not meet the standards for export to European Union markets due to phytosanitary rules.

A 2023 study by the Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale, mentioned by Ecofin Agency, found that most mango processing facilities in Casamance are mainly in the Ziguinchor region. In contrast, Sédhiou and Kolda are poorly equipped despite having local mango varieties.

The study also pointed out that processors in Casamance face challenges accessing packaging and labeling services. Many businesses have to rely on Dakar for these services.

Mané’s investment comes at a time when Senegal’s mango export industry is bouncing back from recent issues related to fruit-fly infestations and other phytosanitary challenges.

In 2021, Senegal exported around 27,000 tonnes of mangoes, but these numbers fell due to problems that limited access to the European market. Exports to Europe increased to over 19,000 tonnes in 2026, up from about 14,000 tonnes the previous season, thanks to better phytosanitary measures and efforts to control fruit flies.