The Ivorian Cashew Processors Group (GTCI), representing national processors handling 100,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts annually, has praised the landmark financing agreement signed on June 11, 2026. This deal, brokered between the National Investment Bank (BNI), the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), and local processors, marks a pivotal step toward securing raw nut supplies for the country’s burgeoning cashew industry.
Local operators have long championed in-country processing by heavily investing in factory construction and expansion. These efforts have not only fueled industrial growth within the sector but also enhanced value addition and bolstered the national economy through job creation and export revenue.
Government backing drives transformative financing
In a formal letter dated July 17, 2026—addressed to the Presidency, Vice Presidency, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the Vice Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, the BNI, and the CCA—the GTCI, represented by its president Denis Kouadio, extended heartfelt thanks to authorities and institutions for establishing this groundbreaking financing mechanism. The initiative aims to alleviate critical challenges faced by processors, including the procurement of raw cashew nuts, operational efficiency, and securing substantial short-term funding to meet seasonal demand.
The GTCI highlighted how this tripartite agreement addresses core obstacles: guaranteeing access to raw materials during peak procurement periods and ensuring consistent production throughout the year. By stabilizing supply chains and unlocking financial resources, the framework empowers local businesses to scale operations and compete globally.
How the financing mechanism works
The agreement outlines a two-tiered approach to funding and supply:
- Raw nut allocation: The CCA commits, at the start of each season, to reserve 20% of the raw cashew nut requirements for local processors.
- Financial coverage: The BNI provides loans covering the remaining 80% of raw nut purchases, along with working capital essential for manufacturing and export activities.
This dual support system ensures processors can operate without interruptions, even during high-demand periods, while maintaining competitiveness in international markets.
Key figures behind the initiative
The GTCI president also acknowledged the pivotal roles played by senior officials, including Vice Prime Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalil Konaté, Minister of Economy and Finance Adama Coulibaly, CCA Director General Mamadou Berté, BNI CEO Youssouf Fadika, and BNI Deputy Director General Jérôme Ahua. Their coordinated efforts were instrumental in designing and implementing this innovative financing model aimed at nurturing homegrown industrial champions.
Expanding success to cocoa processing
The breakthrough financing program, designed to nurture and sustain local cashew processing champions, is now poised for expansion. Discussions are underway to replicate this model within the cocoa sector, with the goal of offering Ivorian cocoa processors similar financial and logistical support. This strategic move aligns with the country’s broader ambition to deepen value addition across agricultural value chains.
Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector: a global leader in transformation
As the world’s top producer of raw cashew nuts—with annual output nearing 1.5 million metric tons—Côte d’Ivoire is home to 37 processing plants boasting a total installed capacity of over 830,000 metric tons. With a local processing rate of 43%, the country ranks second among global cashew kernel exporters and is the third-largest processor worldwide, according to the 2025 International Trade Centre data.
Having already revolutionized raw cashew production, Côte d’Ivoire is now focused on accelerating local processing. This shift aims to retain greater economic value within the country, strengthen domestic industries, and generate sustainable employment opportunities across rural and urban regions.
