Landmark financing deal strengthens Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew processing capacity
The Groupement des transformateurs de cajou ivoiriens (GTCI), representing national processors handling 100,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts annually, welcomed a groundbreaking financing agreement signed on June 11, 2026. This tripartite convention between the Banque nationale d’investissement (BNI), the Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde (CCA), and local processors marks a pivotal moment for the country’s cashew industry.
The initiative comes as Ivorian operators double down on their commitment to domestic processing, investing heavily in factory construction and expansion. This strategic move not only boosts local industrialization but also enhances value addition and fuels broader economic growth.
A unified show of appreciation for transformative support
In a formal letter dated July 17, 2026, addressed to the Presidency, Vice-Presidency, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, relevant ministers, and key financial institutions, GTCI President Denis Kouadio conveyed heartfelt appreciation for the innovative financing mechanism. This system addresses critical challenges faced by processors, from securing raw nut supplies during peak buying seasons to managing operational costs throughout the year.
The letter specifically highlighted the vital role of this initiative in overcoming persistent hurdles such as securing short-term financing for bulk raw nut purchases, optimizing processing efficiency, and ensuring uninterrupted factory operations.
How the financing model works to empower local processors
The agreement establishes a two-tier support system designed to stabilize the supply chain and enhance industrial resilience:
- The CCA guarantees early-season access to raw cashew nuts, covering 20% of each processor’s annual requirements. This ensures a baseline supply to kickstart operations.
- The BNI provides the remaining 80% financing, including working capital essential for industrial and export activities. This comprehensive funding structure enables processors to scale operations sustainably.
President Denis Kouadio also acknowledged the instrumental contributions of key government and institutional leaders in bringing this vision to fruition. These include Vice-Premier Ministre Téné Birahima Ouattara, Ministre du Commerce et de l’Industrie Khalil Konaté, Ministre de l’Économie et des Finances Adama Coulibaly, CCA Director General Mamadou Berté, BNI CEO Youssouf Fadika, and BNI Deputy CEO Jérôme Ahua.
Expanding horizons: from cashew to cocoa transformation
With this innovative financing model already demonstrating strong potential, discussions are underway to adapt a similar mechanism for the cocoa sector. The goal is to extend these benefits to cocoa processors, fostering the emergence of domestic champions across multiple high-value agricultural value chains.
Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew industry: a global leader in transformation
As the world’s top producer of raw cashew nuts—with an annual output nearing 1.5 million metric tons—Côte d’Ivoire operates 37 processing facilities boasting an installed capacity exceeding 830,000 metric tons. With a local processing rate of 43%, the country ranks second among almond exporters and is the third-largest cashew processor globally, according to 2025 ITC data.
Having already achieved remarkable growth in raw nut production, Côte d’Ivoire is now focused on accelerating local transformation. This strategic pivot aims to retain greater value within the country, strengthen the industrial base, and create high-quality employment opportunities for its citizens.
