Sadio Mané, the Senegalese international footballer, is personally investing 11.7 billion FCFA, equivalent to about $23.5 million, into the SM10 Agro industrial park project in his native village of Bambali, located in the Sédhiou region of southern Senegal. The foundation stone for this ambitious project is scheduled to be laid on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The initiative aims to transform local agricultural products, primarily mangoes, and combat the significant post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 30% to 40% in the region due to a lack of storage and processing facilities.
The SM10 Agro complex, spanning 500 hectares, is projected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs initially, with potential for up to 2,500 jobs once fully operational through indirect employment in transport and supplies. The park will feature multiple mango processing units, including one dedicated to mango butter, and cold storage facilities covering approximately 2,500 square meters. The plant is expected to have an initial processing capacity of 10,500 tons per year, with plans to expand to 21,000 tons and eventually 31,500 tons by operating in three shifts. The technology chosen will also allow for processing other fruits like bananas, pineapples, and guavas to ensure year-round operation.
The project has received significant support and incentives from the Senegalese government through APIX (National Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Works). It will benefit from five years of fiscal and customs exemptions for importing necessary equipment. This favorable tax treatment is part of a broader government strategy to accelerate agricultural mechanization and transformation. Mané's investment goes beyond financial support, as he is also establishing an agricultural training center for young people, emphasizing skill development and job creation for the local community. Partners in this endeavor include Groupe Confluence, APIX, and the Oyo cabinet.
The SM10 Agro project builds on Mané's previous philanthropic efforts in Bambali, which include funding a mosque, a hospital, a lycee, housing, boreholes, a post office, and a petrol station. This new agro-industrial park represents a shift towards direct economic investment, aiming to retain the value of agricultural production within the region and provide sustainable economic opportunities for its residents. The project's director, Aminata Tope, noted that a plantation of 78,000 trees would be established, with the first harvest expected in three years, alongside an additional investment of 3.22 billion FCFA.
