ORODARA – In a significant move to diversify the beverage industry in Burkina Faso, Mahamadou Barry, the entrepreneur behind the acclaimed ‘Babali’ mineral water brand and leader of the Presta-Sud group, inaugurated the ‘Haassey International’ soft drinks production unit on Friday, February 23, 2024. The ceremony, held in Orodara, Kénédougou province, was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachimson Kyelem of Tambèla, marking a pivotal moment for the local economy and the beverage sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the new factory is co-located with Barry’s mineral water production plant and aims to produce an array of soft drink flavors. These include ‘Babali orange’, ‘Babali cola’, sparkling water, and an energy drink, all available in 0.5 liter and 0.3 liter bottles. With a robust production capacity of 15,000 bottles per hour, ‘Haassey International’ is set to make a substantial impact on the market.
The plant is well-equipped, featuring a water treatment room, syrup factory, packaging line, a raw materials storage warehouse, a cold room, and a warehouse for finished products. This comprehensive setup underscores the factory’s readiness to meet high production standards and contribute significantly to the local economy.
Prime Minister Kyelem’s attendance at the inauguration was more than ceremonial; it was a gesture of encouragement towards private sector investment and a call to action for other Burkinabè entrepreneurs. Highlighting the role of national companies in driving economic growth, Kyelem emphasized the government’s reliance on economic operators to invigorate the national economy. He urged the Burkinabè population to support ‘Haassey International’ by choosing its products, thereby fostering local industry and job creation.
Mahamadou Barry expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s support and acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, guests of honor, and financial partners. He outlined the journey from the inception of his mineral water unit in 2009 to the establishment of ‘Haassey International’, which represents an investment of 7.470 billion CFA francs. The expansion has significantly increased employment, with Barry’s enterprises now providing jobs to 562 permanent staff, 700 day laborers, and creating approximately 10,000 indirect jobs.
Despite the celebration, Barry voiced concerns over challenges like the high cost of electricity, advocating for preferential pricing to aid manufacturers in controlling production costs and encouraging further investment. The event also saw Al Hassane Siénou, representing the sponsors, laud the initiative as a testament to the economic actors’ commitment to national directives on production and transformation. He called for increased state support for businesses, underlining their need for community and governmental backing to thrive.
KAYA — Sankmoney, a prominent financial service provider under SANKBUSINESS, inaugurated its first agency in Kaya on Friday, aiming to enhance financial transactions for the city’s residents. The move is seen as a significant step towards facilitating economic activities in the region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Director General of Sankbusiness, Kaya ranks third in the utilization of its platform, following Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. The city boasts 177 service points and over 57,000 Sankmoney account holders across the municipalities of Pissila, Boussouma, Korsimoro, and Kaya itself. Zougmoré highlighted Kaya’s economic resilience and its pivotal role in the future development of Burkina Faso.
The new agency aims to serve the Center-North region, enabling a wide range of financial operations. Zougmoré noted that the Kaya agency’s staff were hired locally, addressing employment needs in the area. Requirements for opening an agent account include legal recognition by the tax administration, possession of an IFU and an RCCM, a clean criminal record, and suitable premises for conducting transactions.
Sibewendé Ouédraogo, a Sankmoney agent in Kaya, shared his positive experience with the platform, emphasizing its local impact and potential to combat unemployment through sustainable development. With 107 service points and around 500 users, Ouédraogo encourages young people to embrace the platform.
The municipal authorities also expressed support for the initiative. Adama Simporé, the first vice-president of the Special Delegation of Kaya, lauded the agency’s role in facilitating transactions within the informal sector and pledged support for the project’s success.
Blaise Ouédraogo, the governor of the Center-North region, highlighted the agency’s significance in signaling the feasibility of business operations in the area, reinforcing the resilience of local populations and economic operators. He called on community leaders to support the initiative for the benefit of the region’s youth.
Ouédraogo’s encouragement for local entrepreneurship underscores the broader goal of Sankmoney and SANKBUSINESS to foster economic growth and stability in Burkina Faso through secure financial services.