Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious agricultural and industrial plan aimed at integrating about 14 million smallholder farmers into the cassava based bioethanol value chain.
The move forms part of a broader effort to industrialise agriculture, strengthen rural livelihoods and cut Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported fuel. Known as the Cassava Bioethanol Value Chain Development Project, the initiative is being driven by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and represents a key step in reshaping the country’s agricultural economy.
A central feature of the programme is the “triple helix” approach, which brings together government institutions, universities and the private sector. This partnership model is designed to speed up the transfer of research, skills and technology to farmers and processors. Through this collaboration, producers will gain access to high yielding and disease resistant cassava varieties, modern farming techniques and improved production systems that support large scale industrial processing. The approach is also expected to attract private investment and strengthen Nigeria’s bioenergy ecosystem.
The project aligns with Nigeria’s National Biofuels Policy (2007), which targets the blending of ethanol with Premium Motor Spirit with the long term goal of achieving a 10 percent ethanol mix. This strategy is expected to stimulate domestic demand for cassava derived bioethanol, reduce fuel imports and preserve foreign exchange. Currently, close to half of Nigeria’s petrol consumption depends on imports, and official estimates suggest the initiative could save more than US$3 trillion, roughly US$4bn, every year.
Beyond fuel, ethanol is widely used across the chemical, pharmaceutical and agri food industries, including in the production of disinfectants, solvents and beverages. This broad demand highlights the strong commercial potential of bioethanol outside the energy sector.
Approved in April 2023, the project is backed by a US$11.9bn government investment running through 2028. A pilot phase includes a 20 hectare biotechnology industrial park where hybrid cassava varieties such as TME 419 will be cultivated. While the opportunities are significant, success will depend on reliable logistics, strong processing infrastructure and a stable regulatory framework that balances industrial demand with cassava’s role as a staple food.
Nigeria is empowering cassava farmers for bioethanol
Nigeria moves to power bioethanol growth by linking 14 million cassava farmers to industry.
