FG’s cassava initiative: A game-changer for Nigeria’s economy

By Ekundayo Kehinde

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to empower 14 million smallholder farmers to participate in the cassava bioethanol value chain, with the aim of reducing fuel import costs and strengthening the country’s bio-economy. This ambitious project is expected to save Nigeria over N3 trillion annually in foreign exchange, making it a significant step towards economic diversification and energy security.

The Cassava Bioethanol Value Chain Development Project is designed to integrate farmers into industrial production, linking agriculture to energy transition, rural development and domestic value addition. By doing so, the project aims to create jobs, boost rural incomes and expand local production capacity in the renewable energy market. The initiative is expected to benefit millions of smallholder farmers, who will play a key role in driving domestic feedstock supply, rural employment and value addition.

The project will be implemented through a Triple-Helix knowledge transfer partnership, focusing on the provision of high-yield, disease-resistant cassava varieties, attracting investment, expanding technology and market access, and strengthening the enabling environment and infrastructure. This collaborative approach is expected to drive innovation, improve productivity and increase competitiveness in the cassava sector.