At World Cassava Day 2025, the Federal Government declared its intent to lead the world not just in cassava production, but in processing, exports, and industrial use. A new NCIA report shows how.
On July 3, 2025, the Federal Government hosted the national celebration of World Cassava Day at the State House Banquet Hall, drawing together policymakers, investors, agribusiness leaders, and development partners. The message was clear: cassava is no longer just a subsistence crop, it is a strategic industrial asset.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, delivering the keynote address, described cassava as “one of the most strategic assets in our agricultural portfolio,” citing its wide applications in food, feed, fuel, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and even construction.
He emphasised the government’s shift “from subsidy-heavy programmes to investment-led solutions,” signalling strong support for private capital, mechanisation, and research-led productivity.
This policy posture reinforces the central message of new insights from the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) – a call to both local and international investors to unlock Nigeria’s $7 billion cassava opportunity.
Nigeria Leads in Cassava Production, Lags in Processing
According to the NCIA report, Nigeria is the world’s top cassava producer, accounting for 18% of global output with over 61 million metric tons annually. Yet it captures only 2% of the $183 billion global cassava processing market.
This gap represents a compelling opportunity. Key cassava derivatives, such as sweeteners, industrial starch, high-quality cassava flour (HQCF), and bioethanol, are in growing demand both domestically and internationally. Industrial-scale processing remains the critical missing link.
FG Backs Cassava Industrialisation Agenda
The World Cassava Day event reflected the Federal Government’s growing commitment to turning cassava into a driver of industrialisation.
For example, Cavista Holdings, a headline sponsor of the event, showcased its investment in a cassava estate in Ekiti State through its agric subsidiary Agbeyewa Farms.
With 5,000 hectares currently in cultivation, the farm achieves yields of up to 32 tonnes per hectare with 27.7% starch content – well above national averages. Up to 1,000 jobs have also been created through the project.
This example validates the NCIA report’s conclusion: the enabling environment is here and it is investment-ready.
A Foundation for Scalable Growth
Nigeria’s comparative advantages for cassava investment, as outlined in the NCIA report, include:
- A farming base of 14 million smallholder cassava growers, representing nearly half of all farming households.
- Cassava cultivation covers 30% of total farmland and thrives in all ecological zones, ensuring year-round supply and climate resilience.
- Established supply chains and market networks present a ready platform for new investments and expansions.
- Strengthening research and development – driven by institutions such as IITA and NRCRI, with support from development partners including the Gates Foundation – bolster productivity potential and yield improvements.
Turning Challenges into Investment Pathways
The NCIA report also identifies two urgent areas for investment:
- Closing the yield gap: Nigeria’s average yield is 6 tonnes/hectare – far below the global benchmark of 25.
- Expanding processing: Less than 10% of cassava produced is currently processed for industrial use.
Strategic investment in these areas can drive exponential growth in output, efficiency, and value addition.
Policy and Partner-Led Support Are Driving Change
The Federal Government is stepping up its commitment to cassava industrialisation through new policies and programmes. At the same time, development partners are providing significant investments to boost productivity, processing, and market readiness across the value chain.
- The Cassava Bioethanol Value Chain Development Project is enhancing bioethanol production efficiencies and feedstock availability in key states.
- The Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, a $538 million programme backed by AfDB, IFAD, and IsDB, is boosting infrastructure and policy alignment.
- Development funding exceeding $150 million from AfDB, Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, UKAID, and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) are strengthening productivity, mechanisation, and processing capabilities in key states such as Oyo, Osun, Cross River, Ekiti, Kaduna, and Kogi.
A Call to Action
Nigeria’s cassava sector stands at a pivotal moment. The Federal Government has set the tone with policy clarity, institutional support, and a strong push for private-sector leadership.
NCIA stands ready to guide investors through navigating this promising sector. Interested stakeholders can engage NCIA to pinpoint strategic entry points, build crucial relationships, and operationalise investment opportunities.
To explore opportunities in Nigeria’s cassava sector, contact us at ncia@lbs.edu.ng