Presidential tour in Kolda: The agro-industrial park, the future economic engine of Casamance

As part of his economic tour of the Kolda region, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye highlighted the Agropole Sud Project. A true spearhead of food sovereignty, the Kolda Agro-Industrial Park (PAI) now stands as a cutting-edge infrastructure ready to transform the face of agriculture in Fouladou.

The authorities' stated ambition is clear: to transition from subsistence farming to a competitive agro-industry. The Agropole Sud Project, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is entering a concrete phase with the presentation of the Kolda Agro-Industrial Park. This 15-hectare site, strategically located in the municipality of Dioulacolon, represents a total investment of 2.328 billion CFA francs.

The park was designed as a complete ecosystem for economic operators, structured around interdependent strategic zones. The logistics zone, the site's central pillar, features a 3,600-tonne storage warehouse and a 250-tonne cold storage facility designed to drastically reduce post-harvest losses. The area dedicated to businesses offers two hectares of serviced land to accommodate industrial processing units and SMEs, while a technical block ensures resource self-sufficiency thanks to a high-capacity well and a 150 m³ water tower. Finally, a modern administrative area handles staff management and health monitoring.

A massive appeal for national and international private investment

The Kolda Industrial Park (PAI) goes beyond simply providing infrastructure. It offers the private sector shared services that significantly reduce operational costs and time. Investment opportunities are vast and cover key sectors such as agri-food processing, logistics, renewable energy, and industrial equipment maintenance. The figures are already promising: while total investments for developing the plots are projected at 24 billion FCFA, firm commitments of 4.4 billion FCFA have already been secured to begin operations.

The social impact of the Southern Agropole is expected to be decisive for the southern region encompassing Ziguinchor, Kolda, and Sédhiou. The project aims to create 14,500 direct jobs and 35,000 indirect jobs, primarily targeting young people and women in rural areas. By boosting the local economy, the park seeks to curb rural exodus and support regional growth. For President Diomaye Faye, this infrastructure is a key driver of food sovereignty, positioning Kolda as a central player in national resilience and prosperity.