A palm oil processing unit was inaugurated on Saturday, October 10, in the Lakota department, between the villages of Akabréboua and Gazolilié. The factory, operated by Palme Ivoire, is set to produce cooking oil as well as palm kernel oil, intended notably for the cosmetics sector.
The site covers nearly ten hectares and has a reported capacity of more than 30 tons per hour, according to information provided during the inauguration. The head of Palme Ivoire, Rabih Jamal, also mentioned approximately 300 workers already employed by the unit.
Local authorities have requested that the investment directly benefit the Lakota employment area. Prefect Lassina Binaté urged the company to prioritize the recruitment and training of local youth, while adhering to environmental standards.
The supply to the factory must be accompanied by support for producers. Rabih Jamal announced the creation of a permanent nursery of selected plants, intended for the renewal of existing plantations and the establishment of new farms.
The data on capacity, employment, and the future nursery come from statements made during the ceremony. No separate timeline has been provided for the commissioning of the latter.
According to the operator’s announcement, the nursery is to supply seedlings intended for the renewal of plantations and for new operations, with a capacity to cover up to 1,200 hectares per year.
