Efforts to unlock Africa’s vast cassava potential received a major boost as Cavista Holdings and the African Development Bank (AfDB) commenced discussions on strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating cassava industrialisation and strengthening the continent’s agricultural value chain.
The high-level engagement, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, brought together officials of Cavista Holdings, Agbeyewa Farms and the AfDB to explore opportunities for investment, large-scale cultivation, industrial processing and expanded market access for cassava products across Africa.
The Cavista Holdings delegation was led by its Chairman, Mr. Niyi John Olajide, and included the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ron Olajide; Vice President and Executive Director, Government and External Affairs, Mr. Olumide Olayomi; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Agbeyewa Farms and Matna, Mr. Seyi “Oska” Aiyeleso; and Chief Innovation and Commercialisation Officer of Matna Foods, Dr. Tony Bello.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, Mr. Aiyeleso in a press release said transforming Africa’s cassava industry would require more than investment, stressing that strategic partnerships, innovation and a shared commitment among stakeholders were essential to building a globally competitive cassava value chain.
He noted that discussions at the meeting focused on strengthening the cassava value chain through sustainable sourcing, commercial-scale cultivation, value addition and industrial processing capable of creating jobs and boosting economic growth across the continent.
According to him, the engagement also highlighted the need to expand access to regional and global markets in order to position Africa as a leading player in the global cassava industry.
Mr. Aiyeleso reiterated Agbeyewa Farms’ commitment to agricultural transformation through innovation and strategic collaborations that would deliver sustainable benefits to farmers, industries and host communities.
He added that through the Matna Cassava Industrial Platform (MCIP), the company would continue to work with governments, development finance institutions and private sector partners to unlock investment opportunities, enhance food security and promote inclusive economic development across Africa.
The Agbeyewa Farms Chief Executive expressed appreciation to the African Development Bank for the productive engagement and warm reception, expressing confidence that the emerging partnership would help build a resilient and sustainable cassava industry capable of positioning Africa as a global hub for cassava industrialization.
