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7/16/24, 4:08 PM Thani Al Zeyoudi, Côte d’Ivoire Prime Minister inaugurate UAE-backed cashew processing factory in West African nation - Economi…
The state-of-the-art facility, which is located in the northern city of Boundiali, is owned and
operated by Pan African Agro Commodities Holding Limited (PAACH), an entity incorporated in

the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) that seeks to promote West Africa’s domestic agriculture
sector and support the development of its key exports.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of the top five exporters of cashews globally, with around 80 percent of its
annual production sold to overseas markets. Cashews are also Côte d’Ivoire’s second-most

important export product, contributing 9 percent to the nation’s GDP. With a daily processing
capacity of 100 metric tonnes, the facility is expected to create 500 direct and 3,500 indirect

jobs and enhance the country’s role in global supply chains.
In remarks delivered at the launch ceremony, Al Zeyoudi said the facility is an embodiment of
the UAE’s commitment to West Africa and expressed his optimism for the future of relations

between the UAE and Côte d’Ivoire. “The opening of this impressive cashew-processing factory
underlines the UAE’s belief in the economic potential of Côte d’Ivoire, and offers a compelling

model for further investments into the region as a whole. This is one of the most dynamic
economies on the continent, one that is adopting bold economic policies and ambitious reforms

designed to deliver sustained, diversified growth. We envision huge potential for private-sector
collaboration between our nations as we support the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial,

agricultural and supply chain capabilities. My visit this week marks an important step in
strengthening the economic partnership between our two countries, which I look forward to
building on in the years ahead.”

In his remarks at the inauguration, Abdul Jabbar Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Pan African Agro Commodities Holding Limited, stressed that Côte d’Ivoire is a country rich

in potential. “This factory not only represents a major investment in the Côte d’Ivoire market,
it is also testament to the strength of the bilateral relations between the UAE and Côte d’Ivoire.

We are committed to contributing positively to the local economy, and are confident that our
company and its investments in the Ivorian economy will enhance growth and contribute to

economic and social progress. It will be a new gateway to opportunities for both sides.”
While in Côte d’Ivoire, Al Zeyoudi also held in-depth talks with Prime Minister Robert Beugré
Mambé on a wide range of economic issues, including the acceleration of private-sector

cooperation, which both nations have identified as central to growth, diversification and job
creation.

The meeting reflected the potential for greater collaboration between the two nations, and the

potential for further investment in key sectors such as food production, agriculture,
manufacturing and logistics.

Al Zeyoudi then held discussions with Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade and
Industry, and Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Minister of Mines, Energy and Petroleum, in

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