Norfund’s €20 Million Boost Powers Côte d’Ivoire Poultry Giant SIPRA Toward Food Security and Jobs

Norfund has committed €20 million to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s poultry industry through a major equity investment in the Société Ivoirienne de Productions Animales (SIPRA). The deal marks a powerful boost to the country’s agricultural sector, bringing fresh momentum to food security efforts, job creation, and rural empowerment.

Source:newtelegraphng

SIPRA, headquartered in Abidjan, is one of the nation’s most established poultry producers, running an integrated system that spans feed production, hatcheries, breeding, farming, processing, and product distribution. This model allows the company to keep firm control over quality while expanding production and responding to the rising demand for poultry, which has become a vital protein source for Ivorian households.

The new capital injection will allow SIPRA to expand its production capacity, modernize its operations with advanced farming and processing technologies, and build stronger ties with smallholder farmers. By offering market access, training, and stable incomes, the company aims to draw more farmers into its value chain, creating ripple effects that support entire rural communities. The expansion is also expected to open up thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulating activity across related industries such as transport, feed supply, and distribution.

For Norfund, this move reflects its broader mission to support sustainable private-sector growth in Africa. The fund sees agriculture as a cornerstone of economic transformation, with the potential to strengthen food systems, improve nutrition, and lift people out of poverty. Representatives have emphasized that the investment is not just about financial returns but about driving lasting change in society through inclusive, responsible development.

Beyond boosting SIPRA’s bottom line, the impact of this partnership could reshape the region’s food economy. Greater poultry production will reduce dependence on imports, keep more value within the Ivorian economy, and give households access to affordable, protein-rich meals. For rural farmers, it means steadier incomes and stronger resilience against market volatility. And as SIPRA grows, it could emerge as a key supplier to neighboring countries, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as a hub in West Africa’s agribusiness landscape.

The collaboration between Norfund and SIPRA shows how well-placed investment can tackle some of Africa’s toughest challenges—food insecurity, youth unemployment, and underdeveloped industries—while building the foundation for long-term prosperity. It is a partnership that blends capital with purpose, offering a blueprint for sustainable agribusiness across the continent.