Côte d’Ivoire has officially launched the Bourse des Matières Premières Agricoles (BMPA), West Africa’s first commodities exchange focused on agricultural products.
The inauguration which took place in Abidjan marks a significant milestone in the modernization of the country’s agricultural sector. The new platform is expected to provide a more structured and transparent trading environment for both producers and buyers.
The exchange began operations with a successful first trading session. In just ten minutes, the platform saw the exchange of 89 tonnes of agricultural goods worth close to 31 million CFA francs, or roughly €50,000. This swift start signals strong interest in the new marketplace and demonstrates the potential for scaling up commodity trade under a regulated system.
BMPA features
Currently, the BMPA features three major agricultural products: raw cashew nuts, cola nuts, and maize. These were selected due to their economic importance. Côte d’Ivoire is the global leader in the production of both raw cashews and cola nuts, while maize remains a vital crop for national food security. By including these commodities at launch, the exchange directly supports the country’s most influential agricultural sectors.
The platform is designed to connect farmers, brokers, processors, exporters, and industrial buyers. Through this network, the BMPA aims to improve price transparency, ensure fairer earnings for producers, and create a reliable framework for transactions. The system moves away from informal trade and instead introduces a model based on real-time pricing and verified supply-demand dynamics.
According to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the BMPA represents a turning point in how agricultural products are traded in the region. It is expected to reduce exploitation by middlemen, enhance traceability and quality control, and open up broader market access for Ivorian farmers. If successful, the BMPA could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in other West African nations.