As part of efforts to unlock the potential of cassava, the Nigeria Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) to develop a robust ecosystem for the cassava value chain.

To this extent, the Fund has dedicated a pipeline of on-lending finance to the tune of N2 billion to support cassava primary production and is working with Cavista Holdings/Agbeeyewa Farms and other leading processors to inject additional capital into the sector.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, who signed the MoU on the sidelines of the World Cassava Day 2025 yesterday in Abuja, described the partnership as a strategic move to reposition cassava as a transformational economic asset capable of driving inclusive growth, industrialization, and export competitiveness.

Highlighting the versatility of cassava, he noted that the crop boasts over 50 derivatives, including high-quality flour, industrial starch, ethanol, glucose syrup, animal feed, and even biodegradable packaging, making it central to multiple industries.

“Cassava is not just a food crop; it is an engine for value addition, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings,” Ibrahim said.

He stated that under the MoU, NADF and NCIA will collaborate to modernize Nigeria’s cassava value chain through sharing of technical expertise, facilitating access to finance for smallholder farmers, hosting joint workshops, and building strong linkages between cassava producers, processors, and investors.

He mentioned that the NCIA, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and anchored by the Boston Consulting Group and Lagos Business School, aims to transform the cassava sector into a globally competitive industry through innovation and strategic investments.

Together, the Executive Secretary said, “we hope to tackle challenges that have long hindered the sector, including low productivity, inadequate processing capacity, and limited market integration.”

Ibrahim stressed, “Developing the cassava value chain is an urgent priority for NADF. We are deploying targeted on-lending and backward integration products to scale processing infrastructure and help processors meet quality and volume demands.”

He said, “Our goal is clear: Nigeria must not only lead in production but become the world’s most competitive processor and exporter of cassava-based products. This is how we grow GDP from the grassroots, empower women and youth, and solidify agriculture as the backbone of our economy.”

He, however, urged stakeholders to move beyond talk and pilots, stressing the need for structural, long-term partnerships that reduce inefficiencies and build resilient market linkages.