• Guinea’s SOGUIPAH secures $3M loan from BIG to revive operations
• Funds to restart production, improve logistics, and support farmer payments
• Loan supports 2025-2030 plan to expand palm oil and rubber processing
  

The Guinean Oil Palm and Rubber Company (SOGUIPAH) has obtained a 30 billion Guinean Franc ($3 million) loan from the Islamic Bank of Guinea (BIG).  The financing agreement, signed on Nov. 5 as part of a strategic partnership backed by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to revive the state company’s agricultural and industrial operations.

Financing Agricultural and Financial Overhaul

Officials said the funds will help SOGUIPAH restart production, resume raw material purchases, and improve logistics. The deal with BIG also seeks to establish a sustainable financing model to guarantee regular payments to farmers and transport partners, while improving financial transparency and governance.

“This agreement represents a key step in the recovery and modernization of SOGUIPAH’s industrial, agricultural, and commercial activities. It fully aligns with the national policy to revitalize the agricultural and agro-industrial sector championed by President Mamadi Doumbouya,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

Strategic Expansion Underway

The new financing coincides with SOGUIPAH’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, launched in May. The plan includes building a 6-ton-per-hour palm oil production unit and upgrading its soap production facilities to boost competitiveness in local and regional markets.

In its rubber division, the company plans to commission a 6-ton-per-hour natural rubber processing plant by the end of 2025. Construction began in 2024, and the plant will expand SOGUIPAH’s production capacity. Natural rubber is Guinea’s fourth-largest agricultural export, after cashew nuts, frozen fish, and cocoa. Data from TradeMap shows that exports of the raw material brought in $36.1 million in revenue in 2024.

Stéphanas Assocle