All you need to know about Sadio Mané’s $20m agro-industrial park in Senegal

Former Senegal captain Sadio Mané has laid the foundation stone for a $20 million agro-industrial park in his hometown of Bambali, southern Senegal, as he moves to create jobs and boost agricultural production in the community.

Mané performed the foundation-laying ceremony on Saturday, September 19, for the SM10 Agro project, which is expected to cost 11.7 billion CFA francs, equivalent to about $20 million.

The football star said the project is being financed entirely from his personal funds, with construction expected to be completed within 18 months.

The agro-industrial park will occupy about 500 hectares and feature orchards, four processing units and facilities capable of handling up to 8,500 tonnes of agricultural produce annually.

The project is expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs when operations begin.

A training centre and research facility will also form part of the development, with the project designed to support agricultural production, processing and skills development in the region.

Focus on Mango Production

Mango processing will be at the heart of the project, reflecting the agricultural potential of Bambali and the wider Moyenne-Casamance region.

The area produces significant quantities of mangoes, but a considerable portion of the harvest is reportedly lost each year because of inadequate storage, processing facilities and market access.

Through SM10 Agro, Mané plans to process mangoes into purée, dried mango and mango butter for both domestic consumption and export.

Guava will also be processed as part of the project.

“I want the fruits of the land to stay here,” Mané said, underscoring his intention to ensure that agricultural produce from the community generates greater economic value locally.

The project represents a shift in Mané’s philanthropic activities in Bambali, where he has previously invested in social infrastructure.

Over the past decade, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward has funded a mosque, school, hospital and petrol station in his hometown. He also opened a bakery in November.

However, Mané has increasingly spoken about the need to move beyond philanthropy by creating sustainable economic opportunities for residents.

The agro-industrial project is therefore aimed at supporting production, employment and local value creation while giving farmers access to processing facilities and wider markets.

At 34, Mané remains one of Senegal’s most celebrated footballers. He retired from international football following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after scoring 52 goals for Senegal, the highest tally in the country’s history, while also recording 31 assists.

He finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting and won the Socrates Prize that year in recognition of his social and humanitarian contributions.

Mané began his European career with Metz before playing for Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. He later moved to Saudi Arabia.

His latest investment has also placed him among a group of major domestic investors backing Senegal’s agricultural sector.

Other investors highlighted in Senegalese coverage include Sedima, the poultry and agribusiness company founded by Babacar Ngom; Industries Chimiques du Sénégal; the sovereign wealth fund Fonsis; and rice producer Ciriz.

With SM10 Agro, Mané is seeking to combine his personal investment with Senegal’s agricultural potential, turning produce from his hometown into processed products, jobs and new business opportunities.