Sadio Mané is investing 11.7 billion CFA francs (about US$20.4 million) in a major mango agro-industrial project in Bambali, his hometown in southern Senegal. Construction began with a foundation-stone ceremony on September 19, 2026.
What the project involves
- Project: SM10 Agro
- Investment: US$20.4 million
- Land: 500 hectares
- Mango trees: about 78,000, primarily Kent mangoes
- Processing capacity: about 8,500 tonnes of mangoes per year
- Products: fresh/export mangoes, mango pulp, dried mango and mango butter
- Jobs: more than 1,000 direct jobs expected initially, with a longer-term target reported at around 2,500
- First harvest: expected in about three years
- Training: an agricultural college/training and research component is planned.
Why the project is significant
The idea goes beyond simply growing mangoes. Senegal has substantial mango production, but post-harvest losses and limited local processing capacity mean that some of the crop is lost or has to be sold as fresh fruit. SM10 Agro is designed to capture more value by processing mangoes locally into products with longer shelf lives and potentially selling them in African, European and Middle Eastern markets.
It is also notable that Mané is putting his football earnings into productive agriculture and agro-processing, rather than only philanthropic projects. He has previously funded infrastructure such as a school and hospital in Bambali.
Samson Adewale Adepoju
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This is indeed a great idea, Gos bless mane