As Côte d’Ivoire’s GDP grows rapidly, so does its plastics production industry, and
SOTICI (the Industrial Transformation Company of Côte d’Ivoire), is at its plastics industry forefront. Founded in 1973, the family business was the first manufacturer of PVC, PE and PVC pipe fittings in the country.
Production has increased by 10 per cent per year locally and 15 per cent per year in exports since the end of the country’s crisis. CEO and President Ramzi Omais is SOTICI’s second generation, and, with over 25 years of management experience, has helped to develop SOTICI to its current production of 20,000 tonnes per year.
Maintaining a pan-African vision, with an impressive presence in 26 countries in Africa, including a base in South Africa, SOTICI is “a company that is constantly growing,” says Mr Omais, and was able to grow even during the political crisis.
There are now other plastics manufacturers in the country but what differentiates SOTICI from the competition, according to him, is their centrality – Abidjan is its hub, providing great infrastructure and accessibility to the rest of Africa through its major port. As one of Africa’s economic gateways, Mr Omais believes Abidjan could become even more accessible.
The current trend, he says, is to use plastic, instead of other material such as steel, to transport potable water, gas and oil throughout the continent. In addition to this, the fact that most cities require replacement of water piping will be profitable to the business in the near future as well. In that respect, Mr Omais is very confident that SOTICI is prepared for growth: “We are ready
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