Burkina Faso: President Ibrahim Traoré inaugurates a tomato processing unit in Yako for 8.9 million dollars
On December 16, the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré , inaugurated the Faso Tomatoes Company (SOFATO) , a new tomato processing unit located in Pognongo , in the Yako department. This investment, estimated at 5.6 billion CFA francs (8.9 million dollars) , was made by the Cooperative Society with Board of Directors “Building the Future” (SCOOP-CA/BA) .
Ambitious infrastructure to reduce imports
With a processing capacity of 5 tons of tomato per hour , the plant will produce various tomato derivatives, contributing to the reduction of Burkina Faso’s heavy dependence on imports of tomato puree , a product widely consumed in the country. Currently, Burkina Faso is the fifth largest importer of tomato puree in West Africa , behind Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Aziz Nignan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCOOP-CA/BA, said that SOFATO expects to generate a turnover of 7 billion CFA francs (11.2 million dollars) in its first year of operation, with the start of marketing set for January 2025.
A step towards food self-sufficiency
The commissioning of this plant is part of a global strategy aimed at stimulating the local processing of agricultural products and strengthening food self-sufficiency . It complements other similar initiatives, including the processing unit inaugurated in Bobo-Dioulasso at the end of November, capable of processing 6 tonnes of tomatoes per hour for the production of concentrate.
These projects are also expected to have a knock-on effect on local tomato production , one of the country’s most dynamic agricultural sectors. According to FAO, Burkina Faso produced 313,500 tonnes of tomatoes in 2022, positioning itself as the fourth largest producer in West Africa , behind Nigeria, Ghana and Niger.
Reduce import costs
Despite this significant production, Burkina Faso imported 23,600 tonnes of tomato puree in the same year , for a total value exceeding 8 million dollars . The opening of these processing units should make it possible to reduce these costly imports , while creating jobs and promoting local agricultural products.
With these advances, the Burkinabe government is clearly showing its desire to strengthen its agri-food industry and reduce its dependence on external markets , while supporting local producers.
