Burkina Faso: President Ibrahim Traoré, artisan of industrial transformation for development
The President of Faso, Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, laid the foundation stone this Thursday afternoon for a cashew apple processing plant in the commune of Péni, located about thirty kilometers from Bobo-Dioulasso. This act marks a significant step in the implementation of his strategic vision for the industrial transformation of local products.
With a total cost of 6.65 billion CFA francs, this future factory—scheduled for completion in December 2025—embodies a strong political will to promote the processing and enhancement of national resources. President Traoré views local processing as a key driver of Burkina Faso’s economic sovereignty.
Long overlooked in favor of the nut alone, the cashew apple—though abundantly produced in the western part of the country—will now be fully utilized. According to Ouémihié Clément Attiou, Director General of the Burkinabe Council for Agro-pastoral and Fisheries Sectors, the country produces more than two million tons of cashew apples per year. This new plant will help diversify output with the production of juice, wine, concentrates, vinegar, and ethanol.
It’s worth noting that the Péni factory will create 112 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect ones, contributing to the revitalization of both the local and national economy with an annual processing capacity of 5,000 tons. This industrial project is fully aligned with efforts to relaunch and generate added value locally.
President Ibrahim Traoré plans to replicate this model in other production areas such as Orodara, Banfora, and Gaoua. His vision is to make local processing a reality and a firm commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
