Senegalese football star Sadio Mané has launched a CFA11.7 billion ($20.4 million) agro-industrial project in his hometown of Bambali, southern Senegal, with the investment focused on mango processing, agricultural development and job creation.

The project, known as SM10 Agro, was launched on September 19 in Bambali, in the Sédhiou Region, according to Ecofin Agency.

Key Takeaways

• Sadio Mané has launched the CFA11.7 billion, or $20.4 million, SM10 Agro project in Bambali.
• The project will include a mango-processing plant with an annual capacity of 8,500 tonnes.
• The facility is expected to produce mango pulp, dried fruit and mango butter.
• A 500-hectare plantation for Kent mangoes will also form part of the complex.
• The investment is aimed at strengthening local mango processing, reducing post-harvest losses and creating jobs.
• The project comes as Senegal’s mango export sector continues to recover from phytosanitary challenges.

What Sadio Mané’s SM10 Agro Project Will Produce

The SM10 Agro complex will feature a processing plant capable of handling up to 8,500 tonnes of mangoes annually.

The facility is expected to produce several value-added mango products, including mango pulp, dried fruit and mango butter.

The project will also include a 500-hectare plantation dedicated to Kent mangoes.

Located in Casamance, one of Senegal’s leading mango-producing regions, the investment is positioned within an agricultural area where limited processing capacity has remained a challenge for producers.

Why The Mango Project Matters To Bambali

The investment could provide additional opportunities for agricultural activity and employment in Mané’s hometown.

The project is also designed to increase the amount of mangoes that can be processed locally rather than relying solely on fresh-fruit sales.

According to Ecofin Agency, Senegal loses an estimated 30 to 45 per cent of harvested fruit annually because of challenges involving farming practices, harvesting, transportation and limited processing facilities.

The development of additional processing capacity could therefore help address some of the losses affecting the mango value chain.

Sadio Mané Says He Wants A Legacy Beyond Football

Speaking at the launch, Mané explained that his ambitions for Bambali extend beyond his achievements on the football pitch.

He said he did not want to be remembered only for his football goals and highlighted the importance of the community where his ambitions began.

Mané said the project was intended to help create jobs and develop agriculture, linking his investment to the economic development of his hometown.

His comments provide the motivation behind the investment, while the scale of the project places it firmly within Senegal’s agricultural value chain.

Project To Expand Local Mango Processing

One of the key features of SM10 Agro is its ability to process mangoes locally.

The facility will also provide an outlet for mangoes that may not qualify for export to European Union markets because of phytosanitary requirements.

This could allow more locally produced fruit to enter value-added processing rather than being lost because it does not meet fresh-fruit export requirements.

The investment therefore goes beyond mango cultivation by introducing additional processing capacity within the production region.

Casamance Faces Mango Processing Gaps

A 2023 study by the Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale, cited by Ecofin Agency, identified gaps in mango-processing infrastructure across Casamance.

The study found that processing facilities were concentrated mainly in the Ziguinchor region, while Sédhiou and Kolda remained poorly equipped despite producing local mango varieties.

The study also identified limited access to packaging and labelling services as another challenge facing processors.

As a result, some businesses were forced to rely on facilities in Dakar, increasing the distance between production areas and processing services.

The location of SM10 Agro in Bambali could therefore add processing capacity closer to one of Senegal’s major mango-producing areas.

Senegal’s Mango Export Industry Recovers

Mané’s investment comes as Senegal’s mango export industry continues to recover from challenges associated with fruit-fly infestations and other phytosanitary problems.

Senegal exported about 27,000 tonnes of mangoes in 2021, but export volumes subsequently declined after the problems affected access to the European market.

According to the information cited by Ecofin Agency, exports to Europe later increased to more than 19,000 tonnes in 2026, compared with about 14,000 tonnes the previous season.

The improvement followed enhanced phytosanitary measures, particularly efforts aimed at controlling fruit flies.

What The Investment Could Mean For Senegal’s Mango Industry

The SM10 Agro project brings together mango cultivation, processing and value addition within a single investment.

Its planned 8,500-tonne annual processing capacity and 500-hectare Kent mango plantation could provide additional infrastructure for a sector facing processing and post-harvest challenges.

For Bambali and the wider Sédhiou area, the project also represents an investment in local agricultural activity and processing capacity.

The development comes at a time when Senegal’s mango export industry is recovering, while producers and processors continue to face challenges around phytosanitary requirements, packaging and access to processing facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sadio Mané’s new agro-industrial project called?

The project is called SM10 Agro.

How much is Sadio Mané’s agro-industrial investment worth?

The project is valued at CFA11.7 billion, equivalent to approximately $20.4 million according to the supplied report.

Where is the SM10 Agro project located?

The project is located in Bambali, Sédhiou Region, in southern Senegal.

How much mango can the processing plant handle?

The planned processing plant will have an annual capacity of 8,500 tonnes of mangoes.

What products will SM10 Agro produce?

The facility is expected to produce mango pulp, dried fruit and mango butter.

How large is the planned mango plantation?

The complex will include a 500-hectare plantation for Kent mangoes.

Why is mango processing important in Senegal?

The supplied report highlights limited processing capacity and post-harvest losses as challenges facing Senegal’s mango industry. It says the country loses an estimated 30 to 45 per cent of harvested fruit annually because of farming, harvesting, transportation and processing challenges.

What did the 2023 agricultural study find?

The study cited by Ecofin Agency found that mango-processing facilities in Casamance were concentrated mainly in Ziguinchor, while Sédhiou and Kolda remained poorly equipped despite producing mangoes.

What has happened to Senegal’s mango exports?

The supplied report says Senegal’s mango exports declined after fruit-fly and other phytosanitary problems affected access to the European market, before exports to Europe reportedly increased to more than 19,000 tonnes in 2026 from about 14,000 tonnes the previous season.