The Agency for the Promotion of Community Entrepreneurship (APEC) has identified a site in Banfora for a new chili pepper processing plant, an industrial project valued at approximately 4.5 billion CFA francs.
On Monday, a fact-finding mission led by Karim Traoré visited the industrial zone of Banfora to secure a 5-hectare site for the facility. Technical teams are expected to arrive in the coming weeks to finalize land demarcation and conduct hydrological studies of the water table.
Following the “endogenous development” model promoted by the Burkinabe government, the project will be financed through community shareholding. Citizens and local stakeholders are expected to mobilize at least 50% of the required capital, with the government providing the remaining balance through the Burkinabe Fund for Economic and Social Development (FBDES) under the “Tõogo” mechanism.
The establishment of this factory is a direct response to concerns raised by local communities during consultations with the Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in 2024. The infrastructure is designed to solve long-standing marketing challenges for fresh chili producers, reduce post-harvest losses, and stimulate the regional economy by creating added value locally.
Karim Traoré noted that construction will begin as soon as the 50% subscription threshold is reached, urging the population to mobilize quickly to bring this industrial ambition to fruition.
Ho/Sf/fss/abj/APA