POCERAM

Business sector:Eco Construction Materials

Entrepreneurs :Bintou TRAORE

Founding date: 2008

In portfolio since:2025

ProgrammeCATAL1.5°T

POCERAM specializes in the production of fired clay bricks and improved cookstoves intended for construction and housing improvement. Founded in the 1980s by Mamoudou Traoré, a pioneer in the development of crafts in Burkina Faso, the company has gradually established itself as a recognized player in the manufacturing of local and sustainable construction materials.

Since the gradual takeover of the family business by the new generation starting in 2012, POCERAM has been undergoing a phase of modernization and expansion. In just a few years, the company has supplied more than one million bricks for the construction of housing and infrastructure in Burkina Faso, mobilized more than $500,000 in financing, and generated more than one hundred direct and indirect jobs. The company thus contributes to the development of a more sustainable construction sector based on the use of local materials with high thermal performance.

The Entrepreneur

Bintou Traoré currently leads POCERAM and represents the new generation of industrial women entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso. She has more than fifteen years of experience in commercial and managerial positions within companies such as Airtel Burkina, Colina and Senfa. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from CESAG and a Master’s degree in Marketing from ISPP. She joined the family business in 2012 as Sales Manager before taking over its management in 2020.

Under her leadership, POCERAM has embarked on a transformation process aimed at strengthening its production capacity, modernizing its equipment and structuring its organization. Her strategic vision and ability to mobilize partners are now key drivers of the company’s growth.

The Partnership with Néré Capital

As part of the CATAL1.5°T programme, I&P and Néré Capital are supporting POCERAM in a new phase of industrial development. This partnership aims to strengthen the company’s production capacity through the acquisition of a modern, more efficient and environmentally friendly kiln, enabling it to reach a production capacity of more than 10,800 bricks per day.

The investment is also accompanied by strategic support aimed at expanding the company’s customer base, increasing its visibility in the market and strengthening its internal structure. Technical assistance is therefore being provided to improve the company’s accounting and financial practices, while supporting the implementation of a management system that complies with occupational health and safety standards.

Key Expected Impacts

The development of POCERAM contributes to promoting more sustainable construction solutions adapted to the climatic conditions of Burkina Faso. The fired clay bricks produced by the company have bioclimatic properties that improve the thermal comfort of buildings and reduce the need for air conditioning, thereby contributing to greater energy efficiency in the building stock.

By 2029, the company’s activities are expected to result in an annual reduction of more than 680 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. The project also contributes to the formalization and sustainability of local jobs, while improving workers’ conditions through the implementation of strengthened occupational health and safety standards.