Former Malian football star Seydou Keita has embarked on an important visit to the North African country in a move towards strengthening economic cooperation between Algeria and West African nations.
The ex-FC Barcelona midfielder, who has successfully transitioned from the football to the business arena, toured the facilities of the Algerian Meat Canning Company, a key subsidiary of the prominent Bellat Group.
Keita’s visit represents a growing trend of African economic players showing keen interest in Algeria’s burgeoning agri-food sector.
The primary objective of his tour was to assess the viability of exporting high-quality Algerian products to Mali and other Sahel markets, potentially bolstering the presence of Algerian brands across the African continent.
During his visit, Keita was given an extensive tour of the company’s state-of-the-art industrial facilities.
He was particularly impressed by the advanced technologies employed to ensure that the products meet rigorous international standards.
This focus on quality and innovation is a cornerstone of the Bellat Group’s strategy to expand its market presence beyond Algeria’s borders.
The potential partnership between the Bellat Group and Seydou Keita represents more than just a business deal; it symbolizes a broader initiative of South-South cooperation aimed at fostering intra-African economic exchanges.
This aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to boost intra-African trade by 35% by 2045.
Since retiring from football in 2017, he has actively engaged in various business initiatives, including the inauguration of the Seydou Diogo Awa Agro-Industrial Complex in Mali, which aims to create up to 10,000 jobs.
This collaboration could pave the way for stronger trade integration between Algeria and its African neighbors, particularly in the Sahel region.
