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West Africa’s First Agricultural Commodities Exchange Launches in Côte d’Ivoire

In a groundbreaking move, Côte d’Ivoire has launched West Africa’s first agricultural commodities exchange, the Bourse des Matières Premières Agricoles (BMPA). After seven years in development, the exchange officially opened its doors on May 28 in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, with the aim of bringing transparency, structure, and improved income to the region’s agricultural producers.

The launch was marked by a symbolic trading session, where 89 tonnes of goods were traded in just ten minutes, valued at nearly 31 million CFA francs (approximately €50,000). The exchange currently lists three key products: raw cashew nuts, cola nuts, and maize, which are crucial to the national economy. According to the West African Economic and Monetary Union, the BMPA "marks an historic turning point for the Ivorian agricultural sector."

The BMPA replaces informal trading practices with a regulated platform that reflects real-time supply and demand dynamics. Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s top producer of raw cashews and cola nuts, with over 1 million tonnes of cashews and 250,000 tonnes of cola nuts produced annually. Maize also plays a vital role in domestic food security. Farmers can now deliver their crops to approved warehouses near production areas and receive warehouse receipts, which serve as transaction documents on the exchange.

Raoul-Alex Zouzou, head of the African Commodities Brokerage House (ACBH), explained that with this receipt, producers can meet brokers to sell their produce online. The system aims to stabilize seasonal supply fluctuations, particularly in crops like cashews. Beh Soro, head of the Ivorian inter-professional cashew nut organization, noted that capturing stock during periods of abundance allows for market regulation and more attractive prices for producers later on.

The BMPA is underpinned by certified warehousing regulations and offers a total storage capacity of 500,000 tonnes. Financial transactions are managed by the National Investment Bank, and trading sessions are held Monday to Friday. The exchange has authorized brokers, including West Africa Commodities Market and Raw Material Trading, with participants ranging from smallholder farmers to exporters and investors.

As a regional milestone, the BMPA joins about 15 commodity exchanges across Africa and approximately 125 globally. By providing transparent pricing and better access to markets, the BMPA hopes to reduce dependency on international price-setting hubs and improve farmer incomes. While challenges remain, including limited infrastructure and finance access, the BMPA is a bold step forward in modernizing agriculture and empowering local producers through market inclusion and economic resilience.