From mango kernels to cosmetics: Senegalese entrepreneurs spur sustainable development

June 28, 2024, will be remembered as a landmark day for Baconding, in the Goudomp department, a village at the heart of Senegal where tradition meets innovation. Here, T&M Sarl, a visionary enterprise led by the inspiring couple Tina and Moulaye, officially launched a new processing line that converts mango kernels into mango butter for the cosmetic industry. This initiative marks a turning point for the Sédhiou region, transforming agricultural waste into a valuable resource, while promoting women’s employment in a high-value-added industry.

The opening ceremony was a festive event, gathering the local community, religious and administrative authorities from the department, the Canadian Ambassador, the Regional Director, and the National Directors of MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), highlighting the significance of the project not only for Baconding but for the entire Senegal. The presence of Ms. Marie-Geneviève Mounier, the Canadian Ambassador to Senegal, underscored the strategic importance of this event for bilateral relations and for the sustainable development goals promoted by Canada.

The AVENIR project, funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by MEDA in collaboration with CIAT, has been crucial in achieving this ambition. Thanks to a matching grant from AVENIR’s Smart Incentive, T&M was able to acquire cutting-edge equipment, enabling efficient and eco-friendly transformation of mango kernels. This advanced technology significantly reduces post-harvest losses, a major challenge for mango producers in the region, and increases the profitability of their farms.