25+ Profitable Cassava Related Business Ideas In Nigeria And Africa

Cassava farming across the world generates over $200 billion in yearly revenue, with Nigeria as the largest producer with almost $18 billion dollars in yearly export revenue. Other major producers include Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand, as well as African countries like DR Congo, Ghana and Mozambique.

What is even more interesting about cassava production is that the industry is rich with a lot of opportunities for agropreneurs and business investors who might not be interested in, or lack what it takes to delve into cassava farming, making it possible for people to build a profitable business in the cassava production industry without having to start or buy a cassava farm.

If you want to start a profitable cassava production business in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere around the world, here are 20+ cassava production business ideas you can take advantage of:

1). Garri production:

Garri or cassava flakes are a common food in Nigeria and other African countries. It can be consumed by drinking it or after being made into ‘eba’, which can be eaten with any local soups. Garri production is a common cassava-related business in most parts of Africa.

Garri is relatively cheap and affordable but enjoys a steady market demand, and still has enough room for new investors. Your ability to distribute across a wide market range in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world will influence profitability.

2). Starch Production:

Cassava contains about 25% starch constituents. It can be extracted directly from cassava roots through a wet milling process or as a by-product of cassava products such as garri and fufu. Starch is used in several industries ranging from gum and adhesive production to pharmaceuticals and foods and beverage production.

Focusing on starch production could earn you a lot of profits in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world. Over 350,000 tonnes of starch are consumed yearly in Nigeria alone.

3). Cassava Flour Production:

Cassava can also be processed into cassava flour for human consumption. Most people prefer cassava flour because it is odourless, contains low-fat content and can be used with other flour types for the production of bread and cake.

Processing cassava flour takes little effort as long as you have the right equipment. Also, it requires little time; typically within one day after harvesting the root.

4). Cassava Chips Production:

Cassava chips production is one of the most profitable cassava-related business ideas anyone can invest in. The business requires very little startup capital and it has a wide market. Hotels, restaurants and supermarkets are some of the hottest spots to find customers for your cassava chips production business.

Cassava chips are best consumed as snacks. They are valued for their nutritional value, especially carbohydrates and is a great cassava related business to start in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

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5). Adhesive Production:

Adhesives are common materials used for everyday industrial and domestic purposes. They are used to permanently hold items together. Although most adhesives are made from chemical substances, some are products of cassava starch.

Cassava starch can be processed into adhesives used on glass, mineral wool and other items. With the addition of resins and other solvents, you could produce highly effective adhesives and make a lot of profit if you have a steady distribution channel.

6). Textile Production:

Starch, a by-product of cassava, is useful in the textile production industry. It can be used for sizing materials, finishing and printing yarn into twisted warps. It is also used as a binding agent and to make cloth materials stiff.

Processing cassava starch into textiles holds a lot of promise for investors and entrepreneurs because it has a steady market among all categories of people in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

7). Paper Production:

Cassava is one of the sources of starch used for the production of papers. This is because cassava starch is especially rich in properties that make it a good source material for paper production. It has a clear strong film and can hold water. More so, the paper output is typically strong enough for all writing and printing purposes.

8). Ethanol Production:

Ethanol is a major by-product of cassava. It has several uses, including consumption as alcohol and processing as fuel. Ethanol is derived through a thorough distillation process which could take several hours, depending on the equipment used.

Producing ethanol is a lucrative business for anyone in the agroindustry to start. Although it requires a couple of equipment for processing, ethanol production rakes in a lot of profits regularly for businesses in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

9). Cassava Farming:

Farming is the most foundational business opportunity in the cassava production industry in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world. More so, most African countries have rich soil types and suitable conditions for cultivating cassava.

In Nigeria, for instance, cassava can be grown mostly in the Southern states. To start a cassava farming business, you need a large piece of arable land, good cassava stem cuttings, a couple of hands for labour, fertilizers, and much more.

10). Cassava Distribution And Sales:

Every large-scale cassava farmer is always confronted with the challenge of marketing and distributing their produce to the right audience. This leaves a business opportunity for interested entrepreneurs.

You could start a cassava distribution business, which means you’ll be the link between cassava farmers and the different markets where they are needed.

11). Cassava Bread Production:

Cassava bread is a common breakfast in many parts of the world. It is a rich source of energy, thanks to its starch constituents. More so, it is completely gluten-free and contains nutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and thiamine, etc.

Producing cassava bread has a lot of potential in Nigeria and other African countries. It involves a few easy steps because it requires cassava flour, which is already processed from raw cassava, and a few other ingredients.

12). Fufu Production:

Fufu is commonly found in the remote regions of Nigeria. On the other hand, it is scarce in towns and cities, making starting a fufu production business in places where they are hard to find, one of the most lucrative cassava-related business ideas.

With a couple of equipment and some expert manpower, you can turn a fufu production business into a lucrative business. Hotels, restaurants and events, among others, make up a steady market for the fufu production business.

13). Cardboard Production:

Cardboards are different types of papers used for writing and drawing purposes. The starch from cassava is further processed with a few other materials and chemicals to produce cardboard. Cardboards are used in virtually all fields in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world, ranging from educational to industrial settings.

14). Biofuel Production:

Biofuel refers to the fuel type produced from organic biomass instead of regular fossils like oil that cannot be replenished. The shift towards biofuel is one of the global efforts to save limited earth resources.

Cassava biomass is processed into ethanol-biofuel which is much more cost-effective than many other biofuel sources. Processing cassava starch into fuel is a higher-end business that requires sophisticated devices and professionals in the field, but it is ultimately a great deal of business with global reach.

15). Pharmaceuticals:

Cassava is essential for the production of substances such as glucose and alcohol, which are used in the production of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. It is equally used as a filler and bonding agent during drug formulation.

The pharmacy business is exclusive to trained and certified personnel but it is still a business opportunity for those involved in cassava starch processing and delivery.

16). Feeds For Animals:

A common cassava-related business is the production of cassava by-products for animal feeds. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats, as well as poultry, all feed on different parts of cassava including cassava leaves, peels, fibres, etc.

Livestock farmers make up the major market for this business. If you already own a cassava farm, this could be a way to make extra cash. All you need to do is network with livestock farms around and deliver feeds to them regularly.

17). Cassava Fibre Production:

Cassava fibre refers to the residue derived from cassava after processing. Insoluble cassava fibre could be poisonous and difficult to digest. On the other hand, soluble or dietary fibre has a great market value because it is useful for several purposes.

After treating with hydrogen peroxide, cassava fibre can be used for the production of animal feeds and as biomass for biogas production.

18). Tapioca Sales And Distribution:

Tapioca is a common snack in several parts of Nigeria. Starting a tapioca production business is one of the most lucrative cassava-related business ideas because it has a high market demand among people in different parts of Africa and other parts of the world.

Tapioca is made just by cutting cassava into small slices and is usually cooked by boiling and salted for taste. In some parts of Nigeria, it is eaten alone or with sauce.

19). Cassava Cake Production:

Cassava cake is made from grated cassava. Although it is not a common cake type in Nigeria, it is rich in healthy nutrients and can serve as an alternative to the regular wheat flour used for making cake. For entrepreneurs interested in the cake business, adding cassava cake might be a good way to get an edgy niche over your market competition.

20). Cassava Fries Production:

Also known as Yuca fries, cassava fries is a crispy cassava delicacy that can be consumed as a meal on its own or as dessert. Cassava fries are rich in Vitamin C, fibre, magnesium and contain low cholesterol. It is also gluten-free and safe to consume for people of all ages.

Cassava fries can also be shared at parties, making the cassava fries business a lucrative one with a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

21). Cosmetics Production:

Cassava is another great material for use in the makeup and cosmetics industry. The starch derived from cassava can be processed into ethanol which is a useful resource in the production of cosmetics products.

The cosmetics industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in Nigeria, thanks to the growing concern for healthy skin and beauty. You don’t have to be involved directly in the processing of cassava to ethanol. The use of ethanol in the production of cosmetics is a business opportunity of its own, open to all interested entreneurs in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

22). Fertilizer And Insecticide Production:

Cassava farms require fertilizers to boost cassava yield. Common fertilizers for cassava include the NPK compound in the right proportions. On the other hand, it is important to apply insecticides to cassava farms to protect the crops from pest attacks. This creates a business opportunity for producers of fertilizers and insecticides in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world. The production of fertilizers and insecticides is one of the cassava-related business ideas that enjoy patronage all year round.

23). Cassava Stem Cutting Sales:

Starting a cassava farm requires healthy cassava stem cuttings. As an agropreneur, you could take up sales and distribution of stem cuttings to farmers as a business. This involves networking with farmers, collecting young healthy stem cuttings and distributing them to the right quarters.

With the right distribution channels, anyone could make a lot of profit from this selling cassava stem cuttings in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world. All you need is a good collection of healthy stem cuttings and a steady market.

24). Food Preservatives:

In the food production and canning industry, cassava products are used. To start with, cassava is used for making glucose and alcohol, which are both essential materials for the production of canned foods.

Similarly, dextrose, a substance derived from starch, is used for processing fruit juice to preserve the flavour and extend the shelf life.

25). Sales Of Cassava Processing Equipment:

Cassava can be processed into many different end-products for diverse uses; ranging from starch to biomass for non-fossil fuels. Each of these requires equipment for processing and leaves a business opportunity for interested entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world.

You could start a cassava processing equipment sales business in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world and generate a lot of revenue from selling and fixing machines. This requires some startup capital, depending on the equipment you choose, but has a large market.

To Sum It Up

Cassava farming is a robust business sector with a lot of opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere else around the world. Irrespective of your area of interest, you’ll find any of the lucrative cassava-related business ideas discussed above suitable and highly lucrative.

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What are your thoughts on these cassava-related business ideas you can start in Nigeria or anywhere else in Africa? Let me know by leaving a comment below.