Africa produces approximately 170 million tonnes of cassava annually, representing 65 percent of global production, yet uses virtually none of it for industrial purposes. Nigeria is the world's largest cassava producer at 60 million tonnes, followed by DRC, Ghana, and Angola. Cassava is primarily consumed as fresh root (boiled, fried, or fermented) or processed into gari, fufu, and other traditional foods. Industrial applications including high-quality cassava flour as a wheat flour substitute, cassava starch for food manufacturing and paper production, and cassava-based bioethanol remain negligible fractions of utilisation despite years of government policy support.
The Industrial Opportunity
A 10 percent substitution of wheat flour imports with cassava flour in Nigeria alone would save over $500 million in annual wheat import costs. Ghana's 1D1F cassava starch plants in Brong-Ahafo have reduced industrial starch imports by 30 percent since 2021. The challenge is consistent quality: industrial buyers require uniform starch content, moisture levels, and mycotoxin standards that traditional smallholder processing cannot consistently achieve. Cassava processors, industrial buyers, and investors can access market data and production contacts on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.