Malian football legend Seydou Keita is negotiating a potential business partnership with Algeria, exploring avenues to bolster trade between the two neighbouring countries.
The former FC Barcelona midfielder, who won two UEFA Champions League titles under Pep Guardiola, has transitioned into a successful entrepreneur since retiring from football.
Keita’s recent visit to Algeria was part of efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Algeria and West African nations, including Mali.
Algeria-Mali Business Cooperation
Keita, who earned 102 caps for Mali between 1998 and 2015, toured the facilities of the Compagnie des Conserves de Viandes d’Algérie, a subsidiary of the Bellat Group, according to DZfoot.
The visit focused on exploring a potential commercial partnership that would facilitate the export of Algerian agri-food products to Mali and other Sahel countries.
The partnership aims to promote intra-African trade, with Algeria seeking to expand its footprint in West African markets.
Keita inspected the company’s state-of-the-art technologies and production lines, assessing the feasibility of enhancing trade between the two regions.
From Football to Business Success
Since ending his football career, Keita has become a prominent figure in the agro-industrial sector in Africa.
The former Olympique de Marseille trainee has made significant investments, including a reported 10 billion CFA francs (approximately €15 million) in the construction of an industrial complex in Mali in 2023.
Algeria, the largest country in Africa by landmass, is strategically positioned to serve as a commercial hub for the continent.
The country’s growing agri-food sector presents significant opportunities for partnerships with West African nations.
Potential Strategic Agreement
While no official agreement has been announced, Keita’s visit is seen as a step towards formalising a partnership between the Bellat Group and his company.
Such a deal would strengthen Algeria’s economic presence in West Africa while offering new trade opportunities for both countries.
The former Mali captain appears to have retained his vision, now applying it to the business world as he continues to foster economic ties across the continent.
