Ivorian cocoa processor, SAFCACAO, today in San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire, played host to a four-member delegation from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) which visited its facilities for a tour to assess the company’s operations and gain understanding of its contribution to the Ivorian cocoa sector.
Kanayo Awani, Director, Afreximbank Trade Finance and Branches Department, (left) with Ismail Kamara of the Credit Department (centre) and Martin Djedjes, Director General, African Financial Services, beside an Afreximbank consignment in storage at the SAFCACAO warehouse.
Ali Lakiss, Director General of SAFCACAO, told the delegation, led by Kanayo Awani, Director of Afreximbank’s Trade Finance and Branches Department, that the company was the largest exporter of cocoa beans in the world.
It was also and one of the four top global buyers of the commodity, handling some 1.7 million tonnes of cocoa beans each year, Mr. Lakiss added.
He commended Afreximbank for undertaking the factory visit, saying that the action demonstrated the importance which the Bank attached to its relationship with its clients.
Earlier, Ms. Awani announced that the delegation’s visit was part of Afreximbank’s efforts to strengthen relations with SAFCACAO and to ensure that the company was receiving the best possible support from the Bank.
She noted that the establishment of an Afreximbank branch office in Abidjan meant that the company could now enjoy easier access to the Bank, saying that SAFCACAO should take advantage of the branch office to stay close to Afreximbank to ensure that it received prompt response to any issues that arose.
Ms. Awani, who said that SAFCACAO had been an Afreximbank customer for more than four years, commended the company for its strong relationship with the Bank, particularly its consistency in servicing its loans.
The Afreximbank delegation take a pause during inspection of the facilities inside the Choco Ivoire cocoa processing plant.
According to her, the company’s operations was consistent with Afreximbank’s vision contained in its Africa Cocoa Initiative which supports local processing of cocoa beans in Africa prior to export.
The delegation also visited Choco Ivoire, a SAFCACAO sister company which processes cocoa beans into cocoa liquor for export.
Afreximbank’s support to the Ivorian cocoa sector has enabled the country to create over 540 thousand tonnes of cocoa processing capacity in the last few years, transforming it into a global leader in primary cocoa processing.
Accompanying Ms. Awani on the visit were Obi Emekekwue, Head, External Communications; Alain-Thierry Mbongue, Regional Manager, Abidjan Branch Office; and Ismail Kamara of the Credit Department.
The Afreximbank delegation in group photo with the SACACAO team: (L-R) Obi Emekekwue, Head, External Communications; Ismail Kamara, Afreximbank Credit Department; Alain-Thierry Mbongue, Regional Manager, Abidjan Branch Office; Ali Lakiss, Director General, SAFCACAO; Kanayo Awani, Director, Afreximbank Trade Finance and Branches Department; Martin Djedjes, Director General, African Financial Services; and Guy Turlin, Director of Finance, SAFCACAO.