Guinean businessman Abdoul Karim Diallo gets $20 million to build country’s first poultry platform

International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed $20 million to Groupe SONOCO, a family business group run by Guinean businessman Abdoul Karim Diallo, to develop Guinea’s first integrated poultry platform, a strategic move aimed at reducing imports and strengthening food security.

The financing, extended through SONOCO’s subsidiary FERMAV Industries, will support the construction of a full poultry value chain, including feed mills, hatcheries, rearing facilities, processing plants, and distribution networks.

Guinea’s economy, where agriculture contributes roughly 32% of gross domestic product, has long struggled with underdeveloped poultry production. The country currently imports nearly 85% of its chicken consumption, leaving it vulnerable to global price volatility and supply disruptions.

Guinea poultry sector faces rising demand
Demand for poultry products in Guinea has risen steadily, increasing by about 10% over the past five years. However, limited domestic production capacity continues to constrain supply, reinforcing dependence on imports.

The IFC-backed investment is designed to reverse this trend by building a modern, integrated poultry ecosystem that improves productivity, reduces costs, and expands access to affordable protein.

The project is expected to generate about 400 direct jobs and nearly 3,500 indirect jobs across farming, processing, logistics, and distribution.

SONOCO expands integrated agribusiness model
Groupe SONOCO CEO Abdoul Karim Diallo described the investment as a milestone in advancing Guinea’s food sovereignty.

“This project lays the foundation for Guinea’s first integrated poultry industry, strengthening national capacity to meet growing demand,” Diallo said.

By integrating all stages of production, SONOCO aims to enhance operational efficiency, ensure consistent product quality, and scale output in line with rising consumption.

IFC deepens Guinea investment partnership
The latest financing builds on IFC’s long-standing partnership with SONOCO, which began in 2019 with a $25 million loan to expand food processing and storage infrastructure.

The investment aligns with Guinea’s Simandou 2040 development strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond mining and strengthen agro-industrial value chains.

It also supports the World Bank Group’s broader objective of promoting private-sector-led growth across Africa.

Agribusiness drives economic resilience in Guinea
Groupe SONOCO (Société Nouvelle de Commerce S.A.), a major Guinean family business group, was founded by Diallo’s father, Mamadou Saliou Diallo (often referred to as El Hadj Saliou Diallo), a Guinean entrepreneur, in 2004, following the 1992 success of the Société Guinéenne d’Investissement.

With rising demand, stronger policy backing, and increased private sector participation, Guinea’s poultry sector is emerging as a key driver of economic diversification.

The IFC-backed SONOCO expansion underscores the growing role of agribusiness in enhancing food security, creating jobs, and building long-term economic resilience in Guinea.