Could a former striker reshape his hometown’s economy? Over the weekend, Mané laid the cornerstone of an ambitious agro‑industrial park in his Casamance village, investing roughly €18 million to kick‑start mango processing and spark local growth.
While his boots remain on the pitch for Al‑Nassr until season’s end, the 34‑year‑old has already set the foundation for life after football. Saturday saw the inauguration of “SM10 Agro” in Bambali, a mango‑processing hub billed as a revolution for the region’s supply chain.
The sprawling site will host a plantation, three factories producing pulp, dried mango and mango butter, plus a training institute and research centre. By cutting waste and adding storage, the complex aims to export large volumes to Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
“I don’t want to be remembered only for the goals I scored”
Capable of processing about 8,500 tonnes of fruit annually, the complex will create 1,000 direct jobs in a region where work is scarce. Thousands gathered in Bambali last weekend as Mané and partners invested roughly 12 billion CFA francs (€18 million). Minister Serigne Guèye Diop attended, and the Lion of the Téranga delivered a brief speech on a specially erected stage.
“I don’t want to be remembered only for the goals I scored. Before stadium lights and victories, there was Bambali. That’s where my dreams began,” the former Liverpool star wrote online. “Now, helping families and youth in my village and across Casamance fills me with pride. Seeing this cornerstone laid where it all started is an emotion hard to describe. Bambali is my roots, and this project writes the next chapter of our story.” In my view, his investment sets a powerful precedent for community‑focused athletes.
Will this mango hub inspire other African athletes to invest back home?
The “SM10 Agro” project has ignited local excitement. Backed by several financiers, Mané hopes to open the site in March 2027. Deeply tied to his village of roughly 25,000 residents, the Ballon d’Or 2026 nominee has already funded a hospital, post office, mosque and bakery, while upgrading sports facilities.