Côte d’Ivoire marked a major milestone in the modernization of its agricultural sector with the official launch of the Agricultural Commodities Exchange (BMPA) this Wednesday in Abidjan. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, along with key stakeholders from the agricultural and financial sectors.

Technically supported by the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), this initiative aims to establish a transparent, secure, and accessible market for agricultural products while boosting competitiveness and investment in the sector.

Promising First Trading Session

During the first trading session, 88.81 tons of agricultural products were exchanged, with a total transaction value of 30.84 million CFA francs (approximately USD 53,280). The products traded included:

• 47.81 tons of cashew nuts at 440 CFA/kg,

• 40 tons of maize at 220 CFA/kg,

• and 1 ton of kola nuts at 1,000 CFA/kg.

These initial transactions mark the official start of operations on this innovative platform, which aims to energize the marketing of agricultural commodities in Côte d’Ivoire and across the West African region.

A Development Tool for Farmers

The BMPA has several key objectives:

• to regulate the prices of agricultural products,

• increase farmers’ incomes,

• facilitate access to agricultural financing,

• and improve transparency in trade.

Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani praised the launch of the exchange as an essential tool to strengthen the agricultural value chain and position Côte d’Ivoire as a regional hub for commodity trading.

Key Stakeholders Already Engaged

Three brokers have been accredited to operate on the market: West Africa Commodities Market, Raw Material Trading, and African Commodities Brokerage House. The Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI) has been appointed as the Agricultural Settlement Bank to ensure the smooth execution of financial transactions.

A Continental Ambition

Through this initiative, Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its regional leadership in economic and agricultural transformation. The BMPA is expected to help the country integrate more effectively into global value chains while ensuring better selling conditions for local producers.

The launch of the BMPA is part of a broader national strategy to enhance the value of agricultural resources, modernize the sector, and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.