Sadio Mané has begun shaping his post-football career by launching a major agro-industrial mango processing initiative in his hometown of Bambali, Senegal.
Titled “SM10 Agro,” the project was presented by the Al Nassr star during a press conference in Dakar, ahead of laying the foundation stone for the agro-industrial complex on September 19.
The investment is valued at approximately 11.7 billion CFA francs (around £15 million), aiming to create over 1,000 direct jobs for local residents.
Explaining his decision to enter the agricultural sector, Mané stated: “The Sédhiou region loses between 30% and 40% of its mango production due to storage issues and a lack of adequate processing facilities.”
The Senegal national team captain added: “I want the wealth of our land to stay here with us in Senegal,” emphasizing that the initiative will provide concrete educational and employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women.
The facility will feature units dedicated to processing mangoes for export, as well as producing puree, dried mangoes, and mango butter—preventing the raw crop from being sold at a fraction of its potential value.
Additionally, the project encompasses a 500-hectare farm set to cultivate around 78,000 mango trees, with the initial harvest expected in roughly three years.
The master plan also includes a vocational training center for agricultural trades, a research and development unit, and staff amenities. Upon reaching full operational capacity, the official project site aims to process 8,500 tons annually.
Mané is also relying on ancillary transport and supply services around the complex to generate indirect employment, while gradually transitioning the facility’s operations to solar energy.
The 34-year-old continues his playing career with Al Nassr following his move from Bayern Munich in 2023, while deploying his football earnings into an enterprise designed to transform mangoes from a wasted yield into an integrated industry within Bambali.
