Cassava central to Nigeria’s industrialisation – FG

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that a new policy is onboard to turn cassava into a high-value industrial commodity for both domestic and global export across Africa and the world. He stated this at the 2nd African Cassava Conference 2025, themed: “Building Sustainable and Quality-Driven Cassava Industries in Africa,” in Abuja on Monday, warning […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that a new policy is onboard to turn cassava into a high-value industrial commodity for both domestic and global export across Africa and the world.
He stated this at the 2nd African Cassava Conference 2025, themed: “Building Sustainable and Quality-Driven Cassava Industries in Africa,” in Abuja on Monday, warning that Africa will continue to lose billions if it keeps exporting raw produce instead of finished products.
Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Okokon Okon Etoabasi said Nigeria will intensify support for agribusiness, value addition and regional trade in cassava-based products.
He said, “Cassava is central to food security and industrial transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are committed to turning cassava into high-value products such as starch, ethanol, flour and animal feed.”

 

He added, “Nigeria must move from exporting raw cassava potential to becoming a hub for cassava-based industries across Africa.”

 

The representative of Prof. Pierre Demien Habumuremyi, the former Prime Minister of Rwanda and Continental Chair of the Pan-African Alliance of Small and Medium Industries (PAOSMI), said Africa cannot continue producing cassava in large volumes without converting it into industrial wealth.

 

He noted, “Cassava sustains millions of households, but its full promise remains largely untouched.”

 

He explained, “Africa still battles low productivity, post-harvest losses, weak quality standards, limited processing capacity and fragmented markets. Cassava already has proven industrial uses in starch, ethanol, pharmaceuticals, biodegradable materials and animal feed, yet our value addition remains minimal.”

 

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, said cassava is now a strategic industrial raw material across Africa.

 

He noted, “Nigeria produces more than 62 million tonnes annually, making it the world’s largest producer. This crop contributes significantly to GDP through manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, biofuels and exports.”

 

He explained, “Africa cannot industrialise through commodities alone. Value addition powered by science, technology and innovation is the key. Tools such as AI-based crop monitoring, biotechnology, precision agriculture and advanced processing technologies are now essential for global competitiveness.”