The Ivorian Cashew Processors Association (GTCI), representing national processors handling 100,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts annually, welcomed the June 11, 2026 signing of a financing agreement between the National Investment Bank (BNI), the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), and local processors.
Local operators have doubled down on domestic processing by investing their own capital to build and expand processing plants, driving industrialization in the sector, boosting value creation, and strengthening the national economy.
In a July 17, 2026 letter addressed to the Presidency, Vice-Presidency, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the Vice-Prime Minister, the Industry Minister, the BNI, and the CCA, GTCI President Denis Kouadio expressed deep appreciation to all authorities and institutions that helped establish this innovative financing mechanism. The system is designed to fund raw cashew nut supplies and cover processing costs for domestic processors.
The association highlighted how this support addresses critical challenges faced by Ivorian operators—from securing raw nut purchases and improving processing yields to securing substantial financing lines. These lines are essential to acquire the raw volumes needed during the brief commercialization window and sustain operations throughout the year.
According to the GTCI, this tripartite agreement marks a turning point for the industry. It will enhance domestic processing, secure raw material supplies for industrial units, and simplify access to financing for local businesses.
The new system ensures that, at the start of each season, the CCA provides processors with 20% of their raw cashew nut needs. The BNI finances the remaining 80%, along with working capital required for industrial and export operations.
GTCI’s president also recognized the pivotal roles played by Vice-Prime Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, Trade and Industry Minister Khalil Konaté, Economy and Finance Minister Adama Coulibaly, CCA Director General Mamadou Berté, BNI CEO Youssouf Fadika, and BNI Deputy CEO Jérôme Ahua. Their leadership was instrumental in creating this innovative, sustainable financing model designed to support national investors.
The success of this groundbreaking program—created to nurture and grow national champions in local cashew processing—opens new opportunities. Adaptation of this financing model to the cocoa processing sector is now under review, with the goal of offering similar support to national cocoa processors.
As the world’s top producer of raw cashew nuts—with an annual output of about 1.5 million metric tons—the Côte d’Ivoire now operates 37 processing plants with a combined capacity exceeding 830,000 metric tons. With a local processing rate of 43%, the country ranks second among cashew kernel exporters and third globally as a cashew processor, based on 2025 ITC consolidated data.
Having already met the challenge of expanding raw cashew production, Côte d’Ivoire is now focused on accelerating local processing. The goal is to retain greater value within its borders, strengthen its industrial base, and generate more jobs.
