Senegalese football star Sadio Mané announced a new investment project to establish an agro-industrial complex in his hometown of Bambali in southern Senegal, with investment of up to 11 billion CFA francs, equivalent to about $18 million.
Mané said the project, named SM10 Agro, would create around 1,000 direct jobs in its first phase, along with a large number of indirect jobs in transport and supply services. The complex aims to expand agricultural processing and increase the economic value of locally grown crops.
He also announced a 500-hectare mango farm in his hometown, with about 78,000 trees. He expects the first harvest in three years. He said the area loses between 30% and 40% of its mango production because of inadequate storage and processing facilities.
The project also includes a specialist centre to train young people for agricultural occupations, supporting local development and employment opportunities in the area.
