Nigeria produced an estimated 62.7 million metric tons of cassava in 2023, maintaining its position as the world’s largest producer of the crop.
However, the country continues to account for just two percent of the global cassava processing market share, underscoring the persistent gap between raw output and industrial-scale utilisation.
Despite centuries of cassava cultivation experience and a broad network of over 14 million smallholder farmers, Nigeria’s industrial cassava processing capacity remains below 10 percent, according to stakeholders.
Industry analysts warn that the gap threatens to keep Nigeria dependent on costly imports of starch, flour, and ethanol—products that could be derived locally from abundant cassava supply.
Olayinka David-West, professor and dean of Lagos Business School at Pan-Atlantic University, said Nigeria’s processing shortfall exposes weaknesses in technology adoption and value-chain integration.
“Nigeria is uniquely positioned to emerge as a global powerhouse in industrial cassava production, but it has yet to leverage this advantage due to technology gaps,” David-West said.
Cassava cultivation accounts for about 30 percent of Nigeria’s total cultivated land area and spans nearly all ecological zones, ensuring year-round supply stability.
Yet local industries consistently cite the inability of domestic processors to meet required quality and volume standards, forcing manufacturers to import inputs and putting additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to Olayinka Majekodunmi, partner at Boston Consulting Group, Nigeria’s entrenched cassava farming tradition—spanning over 500 years—coupled with established networks of transporters, processors, and consumers, provides a solid platform for scaling industrial production.
“The country’s broad base of smallholder farmers and resilient supply channels highlight its readiness to industrialise cassava farming at scale,” Majekodunmi said.
Stakeholders argue that bridging the yield gap is critical. Nigeria’s current cassava yield averages about six metric tons per hectare, significantly below the global average of 25 tons per hectare.
Experts say this gap can be closed through improved agronomic practices, research, and mechanisation.
Organisations such as the Gates Foundation have continued to fund research and development to enhance cassava varieties and fortify the crop with essential nutrients, helping to boost productivity and improve the crop’s industrial viability.
Industry watchers emphasise that local production alone is not enough to capture the full economic value of cassava. “Low industrial utilisation rates highlight significant opportunities for value addition,” David-West said.
She stressed that advanced processing technologies and infrastructure investments are necessary to transform cassava into high-value by-products such as starch, ethanol, sweeteners, and industrial-grade flours.
Apart from meeting domestic demand, Nigeria’s cassava industry also holds export potential. Analysts project that tapping into global markets such as China, Europe, and North America could generate significant revenue inflows and reduce the country’s trade imbalance.
However, realising this opportunity will require substantial capital investment, technology transfer, and policy support to upgrade processing facilities and address supply chain bottlenecks.
Local processors and investors are increasingly encouraged to partner with farming communities to develop integrated value chains. Stakeholders say this will ensure consistent raw material supply while meeting quality standards for industrial clients.
With Nigeria’s year-round production potential and established distribution channels, investors have a foundation to scale operations quickly. Industry leaders continue to urge both government and private sector players to prioritise infrastructure, research and development, and rural mechanisation to unlock the country’s full cassava value.
