Economy
Just in: Seydou Keita ignites Mali’s industrial future with $21M oil empire
DDM News

Former Malian international footballer Seydou Keita is already reaping the rewards of his bold venture into industrial investment.
By committing 14 billion CFA francs, approximately $21 million, to the construction of a large-scale industrial complex, Keita has launched one of Mali’s most impactful private-sector initiatives to date.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the factory, known as the SDA complex, currently employs over 1,000 workers and produces more than 120,000 cans of peanut oil for distribution across the country.
This development is widely seen as a major leap forward for Mali’s agro-industrial sector.
The SDA facility bottles its peanut oil in various sizes, ranging from 20 liters to as small as 0.25 liters, ensuring accessibility for both bulk buyers and everyday consumers.
Keita proudly noted that this marks the first time in Mali’s history that such a large-scale, technologically advanced oil processing plant has been built by a private citizen.
According to the footballer-turned-industrialist, “The SDA factory is one of the industrial units that produces the best quality oil in the world.”
The facility is equipped with the latest generation of production equipment and managed by a team of highly skilled and qualified professionals.
Analysts say Keita’s decision to invest in local industry instead of foreign assets reflects a growing shift among African elites who seek to drive development from within the continent.
The factory is not only generating employment but also strengthening Mali’s food production capabilities and reducing reliance on imported cooking oil.
Keita’s move has been widely praised as a shining example of entrepreneurial excellence and national pride.
His transition from football icon to industrial pioneer is now being studied as a model for economic empowerment and sustainable development.
With the SDA factory already in full operation, Seydou Keita’s legacy is expanding beyond sports, cementing his place as one of Mali’s foremost development champions.
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