Processing what Guinea-Bissau already grows.
An operating platform designed to retain more value in Guinea-Bissau while serving industrial buyers that require disciplined execution over many seasons.
Why this exists
Guinea-Bissau grows one of the world's most origin-important raw cashew crops, yet most of the value leaves the country unprocessed.
The country produces a significant share of global raw cashew nuts each season. Historically, the overwhelming majority have been exported in shell, which means the shelling, peeling, grading and packing margin — and the jobs that go with it — are earned elsewhere.
That pattern is not inevitable. Elsewhere in West Africa, industrial processing has expanded once reliable capacity, quality systems and export discipline were established. The same can be done in Guinea-Bissau, starting with a single plant that meets the specification, traceability and delivery standards that international buyers expect.
Bissau Kernel Co. exists to move that processing step onshore, capture more value within the country, and supply customers who need a dependable West African source.
What we are building
A modern cashew processing operation in Bissau, built around buyer specifications rather than marketing slogans.
The company sources raw cashew nuts from Bissau-Guinean growers, cooperatives and aggregators, then processes them through a semi-automated plant in Bissau. Output is graded, packed and shipped as EU-grade whole kernels, splits and pieces for wholesale, retail, ingredient and industrial buyers.
Capacity is sized to the local harvest and to contracted offtake. At full run, the plant is designed to handle up to 15,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum, producing the W240, W320, W450, splits and broken grades that form the standard language of international kernel trade.
The focus is on execution: consistent grade, documented traceability, reliable shipment windows, and a quality system that can support the certifications major buyers require.
The people behind the output
Roughly 650 direct roles at full capacity, with the majority of processing positions held by women.
A cashew plant is only as reliable as the people who sort, grade, pack and maintain it. At full capacity, the operation is expected to create around 650 direct jobs, with the majority of shelling, peeling and grading positions held by women.
These are structured roles, not seasonal informal work. The workforce receives training in food-safety handling, grading discipline and equipment operation, and is paid wages rather than piece rates. That matters to buyers because a stable, trained workforce produces more consistent output. It also matters to the country because it keeps technical skills and income within the local economy.
Employment, training and safety metrics will be reported as the operation matures, alongside the operational KPIs that buyers track.
What growers get
Direct buying relationships and lot-level traceability that benefit both grower and buyer.
The company buys raw cashew nuts through cooperatives, aggregators and direct buying channels across Guinea-Bissau. Each intake is recorded against a lot code, so a buyer's traceability requirement starts at the point the nut enters the plant.
For growers and cooperatives, the presence of a reliable local processor means a transparent price reference, faster payment discipline and a counterparty that is invested in the same origin for the long term. For buyers, it means documented provenance and a supply chain that can withstand the audit questions supermarkets and ingredient houses increasingly ask.
How we intend to be judged
Clear commitments, not vague promises.
- Grade against specification: every lot tested and packed to the size, colour and defect conventions used in export kernel trade.
- Traceability to intake lot: documented sourcing records that connect packed kernels back to their origin intake.
- Certification progress: ISO 22000, BRCGS and other buyer-required programmes implemented and published as milestones are reached.
- Disclosure that keeps pace: governance, employment and operational disclosures updated as the business matures and reporting obligations arise.
Official partnership
Supported by Invest in Guinea-Bissau
Bissau Kernel Co. is recognised by Invest in Guinea-Bissau, the national investment promotion agency supporting responsible, export-oriented projects that deepen industrial value-add and local employment.
Visit Invest in Guinea-BissauBoard and advisors
Board composition and external advisory appointments will be disclosed as they are formalised.
- Board and committee structure to be published alongside the first annual reporting cycle.
- Independent advisors in trade, food safety, and structured finance to be listed once mandates are executed.
- Governance disclosures will align with institutional lender and counterparty expectations.