- The World's Leading Cassava Producer
Unlocking the potential of cassava industrialisation
The Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) is a strategic initiative hosted by Lagos Business School established to drive investments toward cassava industrialisation in Nigeria. Through investment facilitation and strategic partnerships, we aim to support cassava processing businesses to grow and scale. By bridging the gap between businesses, investors, and government stakeholders, the NCIA hopes to drive sustainable growth and transform the cassava value chain.
Strategic Investment Case
Why Cassava?
Cassava is more than just a staple crop; it is a strategic asset for Nigeria’s economic diversification. The versatility of cassava makes it a valuable raw material for numerous industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and textiles. However, much of Nigeria’s cassava is consumed in its basic form as a food source, domestically, leaving significant opportunities for industrial processing, value addition, and export untapped
25% Cheaper
Industrial Potential
Nigeria produces 20% of the world's cassava, yet only 2% of cassava is processed, compared to global industrial benchmarks of over 30%. The untapped processing market represents a $5-6 billion opportunity.
Economic Opportunity
Nigeria’s cassava sector involves millions of smallholder farmers, with women playing a vital role in both cultivation and processing. Current opportunities potentially enable businesses to capture higher margins by transforming raw cassava into value-added derivatives, an approach that drives inclusivity and promotes economic empowerment throughout the entire value chain.
Adaptability & Sustainability
Cassava is a resilient, versatile crop, able to grow in less fertile soils, making it adaptable and economically viable. By-products like peels are reused for bioenergy and animal feed, while derivatives such as bio-ethanol offer eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel.
$5-6B Market
Domestic & Global Demand
Cassava’s diverse derivatives such as sweeteners and high-quality cassava flour offer cost-effective alternatives to costly imports used in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries (cassava-based sweeteners are 25% cheaper). This dynamic not only meets robust domestic demand but also fuels global opportunities.
of world cassava
current utilization
cassava production
market size
About NCIA
Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator
The Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) is a strategic
initiative, hosted by Lagos Business School, established to drive investments toward the industrialisation of cassava in Nigeria. We aim to transform cassava processing through investment facilitation and strategic partnerships to create a thriving ecosystem that boosts food security and job creation.
By bridging the gap between businesses, investors, and government stakeholders, the NCIA hopes to drive sustainable growth, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in cassava industrialisation.
- Investment facilitation and deal structuring
- Supply chain development and outgrower schemes
- Technical capacity building for processors
- Policy advocacy and regulatory reform
How We Work
Our Comprehensive Approach
Industrialisation Pathway Development
Evaluating the market demand, economic potential, and feasibility of scaling cassava derivatives to bridge the supply-demand gap in both quantity and quality.
Investment Facilitation
Attracting local and foreign investors to expand cassava production and enhance processing facilities.
Supply Chain Development
Strengthening farm-to-factory linkages to ensure a steady supply of cassava feedstock for processing industries.
Capacity Building
Empowering farmers with skills, technology, and resources to boost cassava yield and quality.
Policy Advocacy
Collaborating with government bodies to establish a supportive environment for cassava industrialisation.
Impact Measurement
Tracking outcomes and demonstrating value
Value Chain Focus
Industrialisation Pathways
Sweeteners
Focusing on scaling cassava-based sweetener production to meet demand from Nigeria’s growing food and beverage industries. By expanding processing facilities, ensuring steady tuber supply, and fostering partnerships with large-scale off-takers, we can replace costly sugar imports with locally produced alternatives such as glucose and sorbitol.
$1.2B
HQCF
Improving processing efficiency and expanding high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) production, this pathway supports the inclusion of cassava flour in baked goods, pasta, and other food products. Increasing utilisation rates and fostering supply chain linkages between processors and bakeries will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to substitute wheat imports.
$800M
Bio-Ethanol
Promoting the scaling of cassava-based bio-ethanol production for use in food, beverages, and industrial products. By strengthening feedstock supply and securing off-take agreements with beverage manufacturers, the pathway addresses Nigeria’s growing ethanol demand while reducing reliance on imports.
$450M
Starch
Scaling cassava starch production can reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, serving local demand for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. By adopting advanced processing methods and offering a cost-competitive, high-quality product, producers could effectively replace alternatives such as cornstarch with a locally sourced and more affordable alternative.
$600M
Our Stakeholders
Who We Support
Working with key actors across Nigeria’s cassava ecosystem
Cassava Processors
Funders & Investors
Trusted by Gates Foundation, Lagos Business School, and industry stakeholders
Latest Research
Insights
- Investment & Markets
Cassava can be processed into several high-value derivatives, including sweeteners such as sorbitol. Sorbitol is...
- Investment & Markets
Nigeria is the world’s largest cassava producer. Yet this scale has not translated into a...
- Investment & Markets
Nigeria’s ethanol demand reached 400 million litres in 2024, based on our analysis, and is...
Investment Infrastructure
The NCIA Virtual Deal Room
For Funders
Browse vetted investment opportunities
For Processors
Submit deals & access offtakers
Stakeholders
Market insights & updates
