Touton Côte d'Ivoire

In its first project in Côte d'Ivoire, MIGA issued two guarantee contracts totaling $16.4 million to Touton S.A. of France, for its equity investment and shareholder loan to Touton Côte d'Ivoire. The investments will be used for the acquisition and rehabilitation of three cocoa plantations and construction of a factory to clean and bag cocoa leaves. MIGA insurance covers the investments against the risks of expropriation and war and civil disturbance.

The project will rehabilitate the plantations over a four-year period. Once rehabilitated and fully operational, the plantations will produce 1,700 kilograms of cocoa per hectare annually, which surpasses the national average. The transfer of technology will include use of high-quality seedling plants and the plantation sous ombrage technique, which shelters the cocoa plants from adverse weather to ensure better quality of cocoa beans. Each plantation will be equipped with modern fermentation, drying, and packaging units. Modern agricultural management practices and dust control equipment will be used at the drying and bagging facilities. Downstream businesses that will benefit from the project include transportation, fertilizer, seedlings, and oil suppliers. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the country's balance of payments.