We are proud to have inaugurated, on May 7, 2026, our second distillery at the SUCAF Côte d’Ivoire site in Ferkessédougou, a landmark project that embodies our vision of a high-performing, circular African agro-industry that creates value for local communities.
Following N’Kayi at Saris Congo, this new facility marks a key milestone in Somdia’s industrial diversification and in our ambition to better utilize every resource derived from our agricultural operations.
Thanks to an investment of 27.4 million euros, this distillery will process approximately 50,000 tons of molasses from our local sugar production to produce up to 12 million liters of extra-neutral alcohol per year. This production is intended for the beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, with the aim of reducing imports and securing supplies, as this facility will cover nearly 50% of the country’s needs.
For Gregory CLERC, this investment strengthens a long-standing ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire and highlights the growing synergies between Somdia and Castel Afrique, united by a shared ambition: to develop high-performing local supply chains and strengthen industrial integration in Africa.
- 100 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs created
- Better utilization of agricultural byproducts
- A circular economy model where “nothing is lost, everything is transformed”
- A concrete contribution to industrial and food sovereignty
- A transformative project supporting the country’s economic transformation
This inauguration also demonstrates the effectiveness of the partnership between the Ivorian government and the private sector, building on the commitments made five years ago to strengthen the competitiveness of local sugar industries.
This ambition is also reflected in concrete progress in energy transition and environmental performance :
- The 4 MW solar farm already covers 13% of the site’s energy needs;
- An 8,000 m³ lagooning basin will enable the treatment and conversion of vinasse into organic matter with high agronomic potential.
Industrial performance, technological innovation, and the energy transition thus come together to support a modern and responsible agribusiness sector.
As Olivier Parent, Somdia’s Chairman and CEO, noted:
“Our ambition remains the same: to produce in Africa, with and for Africa. ”
Thank you to the Ivorian authorities for their trust and support, to our partners, and to all the teams working to make this project a human and collective success in support of the development of Ivorian regions and agricultural sectors.
