Ivory coast caju industry gets major funding boost to boost local processing

The Ivorian Cashew Processors Group (GTCI), representing national processors handling 100,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, has welcomed a landmark financing agreement signed on June 11, 2026. The deal brings together the National Investment Bank (BNI), the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), and local processors to secure essential funding for the sector.

Ivorian operators have made bold strides in local processing by investing their own capital to build and expand processing plants. This commitment is driving the industrialization of the cashew value chain, creating higher value-added products, and strengthening the country’s economy.

In a formal letter dated July 17, 2026, addressed to the Office of the President, the Vice President, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the Vice-Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, the BNI, and the CCA, Denis Kouadio, President of the GTCI, expressed deep appreciation for the swift and decisive support provided by public institutions. He highlighted how this innovative financing mechanism addresses critical challenges faced by processors, including securing raw cashew supplies, improving processing efficiency, and accessing substantial short-term funding to meet operational demands throughout the year.

How the financing mechanism works to support local processors

The agreement outlines a tripartite structure designed to stabilize the sector. The CCA guarantees the supply of 20% of the raw cashew nuts needed by local processors at the start of each season. The BNI then provides financing for the remaining 80%, along with essential working capital to fund daily operations and export activities.

This coordinated approach ensures continuous supply to processing plants, reduces financial strain on operators, and fosters sustainable growth in the local cashew industry.

Key stakeholders behind the initiative

The success of this initiative reflects strong leadership and collaboration across government and industry. Denis Kouadio, as President of the GTCI, extended special thanks to Vice-Prime Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalil Konaté, Minister of Economy and Finance Adama Coulibaly, and senior officials including Mamadou Berté (Director General of the CCA), Youssouf Fadika (Director General of the BNI), and Jérôme Ahua (Deputy Director General of the BNI). Their coordinated efforts have paved the way for a sustainable financing model that empowers Ivorian investors in the cashew sector.

Looking ahead: expansion to cocoa processing

The innovative financing structure is already yielding results and is now being explored as a potential model for the cocoa processing sector. If successful, this approach could bring similar benefits to cocoa processors, further deepening industrialization, increasing domestic value retention, and creating more jobs across Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast: a global leader in cashew production and processing

With annual raw cashew production exceeding 1.5 million tonnes, Ivory Coast ranks as the world’s top producer. The country now hosts 37 processing facilities with a combined capacity of over 830,000 tonnes. While the local processing rate stands at 43%, the nation holds the second position among exporters of cashew kernels and ranks third globally in cashew processing, according to 2025 ITC data.

Building on its success in raw cashew production, Ivory Coast is now accelerating efforts to boost local processing. The goal: retain more value within the country, strengthen its industrial base, and generate sustained employment opportunities for Ivoirians.