Senegalese football star Sadio Mané has launched a major agro-industrial project in his hometown of Bambali, investing 11.7 billion CFA francs, approximately $20.4 million, in a venture aimed at expanding mango processing and creating employment.
The project, known as SM10 Agro, was launched in Bambali in Senegal’s Sédhiou Region on September 19. The initiative is designed to process locally produced mangoes into higher-value products while strengthening agricultural activity in the area.
The planned complex will include several processing units capable of producing mango pulp, dried mango and mango butter. It will also feature a 500-hectare Kent mango plantation and facilities intended to support agricultural training and research. The processing plant is expected to handle about 8,500 tonnes of mangoes annually.
The project is expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs, while additional employment opportunities could emerge through transportation, supply and other services connected to the agricultural operation. The project promoters also plan to plant about 78,000 mango trees, with the first harvest from the new plantation expected in roughly three years.
Mané said the investment was intended to create opportunities for people in Bambali and the wider Casamance region, while allowing more of the wealth generated from local agricultural production to remain within the community.
“I don’t want to be remembered only for the goals I scored,” Mané said at the launch, explaining that Bambali was where his journey began and that he wanted to contribute to job creation and agricultural development.
The project is being developed in a region where mango production is significant but where limited storage and processing facilities have contributed to post-harvest losses. Industry reports estimate that Senegal loses a substantial share of harvested fruit each year because of challenges involving farming practices, harvesting, transportation and limited processing outlets.
By processing mangoes locally, SM10 Agro is expected to provide another outlet for farmers while producing goods that can be stored and marketed beyond the fresh-fruit season. The planned products are intended for the Senegalese market as well as export destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
The investment also comes as Senegal’s mango export industry recovers from challenges involving fruit-fly infestations and European phytosanitary requirements. Reports indicate that exports to Europe increased in 2026 compared with the previous season following improved measures to control the problems affecting the sector.
For Mané, the project represents a move from supporting his hometown through community infrastructure and charitable initiatives towards a larger productive investment intended to generate economic activity. The footballer has previously supported projects in Bambali, including a school, hospital and other community facilities.
Construction of the agro-industrial complex is expected to take about 18 months. If completed as planned, SM10 Agro will combine farming, food processing, agricultural training and research in a single development centred on Bambali and the wider Sédhiou region.
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