SSNUP project completion: Improving the internal management and social impact of a cashew nut processor in Burkina Faso

©Philippe LISSAC

Anatrans is the leading cashew nut processor in Burkina Faso. It sources Fairtrade and organic cashew nuts from approximately 2,400 local farmers and processes them for export, thereby playing a vital role in employment and economic development in rural areas. Between June 2021 and December 2022, Anatrans was supported with SSNUP-sponsored projects by responsAbility and Incofin.

Improved financial management

While the OHADA regional accounting framework (Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires or Organisation for the Harmonisation of Corporate Law in Africa) is widely used in Western and Central Africa, international investors comply with the globally standardised IFRS framework (International Financial Reporting Standards), preventing companies like Anatrans to directly benefit from financing. 

To overcome the need to channel funding of the impact investor responsAbility through a holding company, a SSNUP co-funded project implemented accounting and financial tools, processes and capacity building activities at Anatrans to enhance both its IFRS compliance and overall operational efficiency. The aim was not only to break the company’s reliance on holding companies but also to attract future direct investors. The project reinforced internal management, upgraded the accounting and bookkeeping software and implemented financial procedures.

Benefits for farmers and workers

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The project by responsAbility highlighted additional technical assistance needs at Anatrans in terms of human resource management and to increase the social impact in the farming communities who supply the nut processor. SSNUP impact investor Incofin therefore implemented a second project to meet these needs.  

To ensure a fair and equal treatment of workers, human resource processes and salary payouts were digitalised. In consequence, the processor now pays over 2,300 seasonal employees via mobile money instead of in cash, thereby fostering financial inclusion among staff.

In addition to improving the working conditions of staff, Anatrans sought to improve the wellbeing of the smallholder farmers who supply the cashew nuts via two cooperatives. The farmers were provided with technical assistance to obtain a Fairtrade certification and to increase their yield with more efficient production methods. 

This enabled their cooperatives to increase the volume of nuts supplied to Anatrans while also providing them with access to the more lucrative Fairtrade market. The surplus was used to improve the quality of life of 200 farming families and reduced child labour thanks to advance payments as well as medical check-ups and the enrolment in school of 600 children.

This project demonstrated that agri SMEs have the potential to play a transformative role beyond economic development. Strengthening supply chains can also contribute to the holistic development of farming communities, thereby creating a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership between the different value chain actors.

Project results: improving the financial management of Anatrans

Project results: improving the conditions of farmers and workers at Anatrans

Stakeholder perception survey