The Senegalese agricultural industry witnessed a landmark event as Biosene inaugurated its new industrial cereal production unit on May 30, 2024. This milestone, achieved after 36 months of dedicated efforts and collaboration, was supported financially and through technical assistance by the USAID West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub).
The inauguration, made possible by a $905,000 co-investment grant from USAID, marks a crucial step in regional economic development. Distinguished guests, including Ibrahima Thiam, Secretary of State for SME/SMI Development at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Alyssa Leggoe, Mission Director of USAID/Senegal, attended the ceremony. The event highlighted the significance of international cooperation in fostering sustainable economic growth.
Since partnering with USAID in April 2021, Biosene has significantly bolstered its competitiveness. The company has quadrupled its capacity to source raw materials, starting at 380 MT and reaching approximately 1,500 tons of millet, fruits, baobab powder, moringa, white beans, fonio, and hibiscus. This expansion has generated nearly $1.1 million in export sales and over $1.8 million in domestic market sales. Biosene’s workforce has grown from 57 to 177 employees.
With the new facility operational, Biosene has increased its daily production capacity from 600 kg to 4 tons. This enhancement allows Biosene to fulfill an export order of 20 tons in only seven days—down from the previous 45 days—enabling it to meet growing international demand for nutritious food products more efficiently.
Biosene’s CEO Salamba Diene has been recognized for her exceptional leadership since transforming the family business into a leading force in agricultural product processing starting in 2017. Her dedication to sustainable economic inclusion and the empowerment of women in rural and urban areas is noted as exemplary.
The inauguration ceremony celebrated Biosene’s success along with the perseverance and collaboration that made it possible. Garnering extensive media coverage ensured these achievements were shared with a wide audience.
Mrs. Fatou Dyana Ba, Director of the Bureau de Mise à Niveau—which assists local businesses in Senegal to improve their competitiveness—highlighted Biosene as an exemplary company: “Biosene can thus be cited as an example for all Senegalese entrepreneurs eager to fully play their role in developing industrial sectors that will elevate our country into the circle of the most industrialized African countries.”
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