As the world’s leading producer of cashew nuts, Côte d’Ivoire is now seeking to process more of its “grey gold” domestically. To achieve this, the government is promoting an investment-friendly environment and encouraging the establishment of processing plants closer to production areas.

In Tombougou, in the Boundiali department, this strategy is taking shape with the establishment of PAN Agro Africa Commodities (PAAC), an industrial facility specializing in cashew processing.

With a processing capacity of 50 tonnes per day, the plant currently processes nearly 30,000 tonnes of cashew nuts per year. This capacity can rise to 45,000 tonnes annually when the facility is fully supplied during the harvest season.

Beyond the volumes processed, cashew processing is creating employment and economic opportunities for local communities.

For Cissé Aminata, an employee at the plant, the income she earns from her job helps her meet the needs of her household and family.

“With the money I earn here, I am able to get by and take care of my needs,” she said.

Alassane Traoré, a technician, highlighted the opportunities created for young people in the region.

“The factory has enabled us to find work locally and, for many of us, to move from unemployment to employment,” he said.

The impact is also reflected in the figures provided by Moïse Tapsoba, PAAC’s director, who said the facility has generated 400 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.

“The establishment of the factory allows us to make use of the local workforce. Today, young women, older women everyone can work. They are putting their hands to work, they have an activity and are therefore contributing to local development,” he said.

The experience in Boundiali reflects the broader growth of cashew processing in Côte d’Ivoire.

According to the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (PND), the share of locally processed cashew nuts increased from 12.2% in 2020 to 36.4% in 2024.

The sector now has 29 operational processing plants, generating more than 14,000 direct jobs.

The government plans to continue expanding local processing, with the goal of raising the share of cashew nuts processed domestically to 70% by 2030.