In a significant stride towards the industrialisation of cassava in Nigeria, Lagos Business School (LBS) is pleased to introduce its newest initiative, the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA). Funded by the Gates Foundation, the NCIA brings together government stakeholders, investors, development partners, and agri-entrepreneurs to identify and harness the opportunities and pathways to cassava industrialisation.

The NCIA project team is led by Professor Olayinka David-West, with Dr Adedoyin Salami heading Measurement, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE). Joan Egwuterai oversees General Administration and Programme Management, while Yetunde Odedokun leads Investment Advisory.

Beyond being a vital food source, cassava’s multiple derivatives present a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria. As the world’s largest cassava producer, with an annual output of over 61 million metric tonnes, Nigeria’s cassava industry offers a vast, untapped potential worth an estimated $5 billion. The NCIA seeks to mobilise this potential into sustainable economic growth, ensuring food security and creating employment opportunities. For instance, bio-ethanol, one of cassava’s derivatives, is used in food, beverages, and industrial products. Local bio-ethanol production from cassava will address Nigeria’s growing ethanol demand while reducing reliance on imports.

The NCIA initiative focuses on five key areas in its approach to cassava industrialisation: Investment facilitation, industrialisation pathway development, supply chain development, capacity building, and policy advocacy.

The Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator commenced activities in August 2024, and the project is expected to run until June 2027.

For more information about the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator and how you can support or get involved, please visit https://investcassava.lbs.edu.ng/