The Ivorian Cashew Processors Group (GTCI), representing national operators transforming 100,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, has welcomed the landmark financing agreement signed on June 11, 2026, between the National Investment Bank (BNI), the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), and local processors.

Ivorian operators have taken bold steps toward local processing by investing their own capital to build and expand processing plants. This initiative drives industrialization within the sector, enhances value addition, and bolsters the national economy.

A formal letter dated July 17, 2026, addressed to the Presidency, Vice-Presidency, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, the BNI, and the CCA was sent by GTCI President Denis Kouadio. In it, he expressed deep appreciation for the support extended by authorities and institutions, which enabled the creation of this groundbreaking financing mechanism. The system is designed to cover raw nut procurement and operational transformation costs for national processors.

The financing package is particularly significant for Ivorian operators facing challenges such as securing raw cashew supplies, optimizing processing yields, and accessing substantial credit lines. This is especially critical during the short commercialization window when processors must purchase the raw nuts needed to run their plants throughout the year.

According to the GTCI, this tripartite agreement marks a major milestone for the cashew industry. It is set to strengthen local processing, ensure stable raw material supplies for industrial units, and improve access to financing for processors.

The agreement outlines clear support: the CCA guarantees the availability of 20% of the raw cashew nuts required by processors at the start of the season. The BNI, meanwhile, finances the remaining 80% and covers working capital needs for industrial operations and exports.

Denis Kouadio, GTCI President, also commended the key contributors to this initiative, including Deputy Prime Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, Minister of Trade and Industry Khalil Konaté, Minister of Economy and Finance Adama Coulibaly, CCA Director General Mamadou Berté, BNI CEO Youssouf Fadika, and BNI Deputy CEO Jérôme Ahua. Their coordinated efforts led to the creation of this innovative, long-term financing solution designed to empower national investors.

The success of this program, aimed at fostering the growth of national champions in local cashew processing, opens new opportunities. There are plans to adapt this financing model to the cocoa processing sector, with the goal of offering similar support to local cocoa processors.

Côte d’Ivoire stands as the world’s top producer of raw cashew nuts, with an annual output of about 1.5 million tonnes. The country now hosts 37 processing plants with a combined capacity exceeding 830,000 tonnes. With a local processing rate of 43%, Côte d’Ivoire ranks second among cashew kernel exporters and third globally in cashew processing, according to 2025 ITC data.

Having successfully expanded raw cashew production, Côte d’Ivoire is now focused on accelerating local processing. The aim is to retain greater value within the country, strengthen its industrial base, and generate more employment opportunities.