Former Senegal national team captain Sadio Mané has officially laid the foundation stone for a $20 million (11.7 billion CFA francs) agro-industrial park in his hometown of Bambali. Financed entirely from Mané’s personal fortune, the 18-month construction project marks a major milestone in local economic development for the region.
The facility, named SM10 Agro, will cover approximately 500 hectares and host orchards, four processing plants, a dedicated training center, and research facilities. Once operational, the complex will process up to 8,500 tonnes of produce annually and generate over 1,000 direct jobs for the local community.
Central to the project is mango processing, designed to curb heavy post-harvest losses in the Moyenne-Casamance region caused by limited storage and market access. The plant will transform local harvests into mango purée, dried mango, and mango butter, while also processing guavas for both domestic consumption and international export.
This initiative represents a pivotal shift in Mané’s involvement in Bambali from traditional social philanthropy toward sustainable commercial enterprise. Over the past decade, the football star has individually funded key local infrastructure, including a hospital, school, mosque, petrol station, and bakery.
Following his retirement from international football as Senegal’s top goalscorer, the 34-year-old forward joins prominent domestic players investing in the nation’s agricultural future. Through SM10 Agro, Mané aims to retain value within his hometown while establishing a lasting industrial footprint.
