The Guinean agro-food group Soguipal has secured a €5 million loan from Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), to support its expansion plans. The financing is part of a larger €7.2 million investment program aimed at strengthening the company's production capacity and supporting its growth. The agreement was signed on October 26, 2026, at the residence of the French Ambassador to Guinea.
The investment will enable Soguipal to increase its yogurt production capacity from 9 to 15 tons per day, representing a 67% increase. The project also includes the creation of around 30 direct jobs and financing for working capital needs to support this growth. Proparco's regional director for West Africa, Sadio Dicko, emphasized that the financing is part of a broader approach to supporting Guinean small and medium-sized enterprises with high growth potential.
Soguipal's production facility, BEST Yaourt, is located in Sanoyah and is currently the only industrial yogurt manufacturer in Guinea. The company, led by Ibrahima Diallo, has been active in the Guinean market since 2005, initially in the import and distribution of food products, before moving into local industrial processing. Soguipal's products, including yogurt, powdered milk, and tomato concentrate, are distributed by CCG in Guinea and several neighboring countries.
The financing will also support a technical assistance program aimed at strengthening Soguipal's operational practices and improving its industrial processes. According to Sadio Dicko, this operation marks Proparco's first intervention in Guinea under its "growing SMEs" approach, designed to support national companies with strong growth prospects. The project is expected to contribute to Guinea's food sovereignty by increasing local production of dairy products.
The French Ambassador to Guinea, Luc Briard, who attended the signing ceremony, highlighted the significance of this partnership in promoting local production and economic cooperation between France and Guinea. He emphasized the importance of developing an industry capable of meeting domestic market needs and noted that Soguipal's growth could contribute to the country's economic development, including the Simandou 2040 program.
The Guinean Ministry of Industry has welcomed the investment, with Abdoulaye Diallo, Chief of Staff, representing the Minister, expressing satisfaction at the mobilization of financing for a promising Guinean enterprise. The project is seen as an example of international cooperation and a step towards achieving the country's industrial ambitions. The investment is also expected to help reduce Guinea's dependence on imported dairy products, with the country currently producing only around a quarter of its domestic needs.
Key points
- Proparco grants €5 million loan to Soguipal to boost yogurt production capacity to 15 tons per day.
- Investment to create 30 direct jobs and support working capital needs.
- Project aims to contribute to Guinea's food sovereignty by increasing local production of dairy products.
