Cassava has long been viewed in Nigeria as a subsistence crop, and a reliable staple that helps households navigate rising food prices and economic uncertainty. It is grown for resilience and consumed for survival, forming the backbone of food security for millions.

The country currently produces more cassava than any other nation, with output estimated at over 60 million metric tonnes in 2023, yet most of these enter low-margin markets such as garri, fufu and basic flour.

Beyond Nigeria, cassava is taking on very different forms. In several regions, the same crop is being transformed into materials – fuels, packaging and industrial inputs that serve markets far beyond the plate.

This global evolution reveals a broader truth: cassava is no longer only a food crop: it is an innovation crop.

According to insights by the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA), an initiative of the Lagos Business School Pan-Atlantic University, there are indications that one of the most striking pathways is the emergence of cassava-based bioplastics and biodegradable packaging.

The insight reveals that in Southeast Asia, starch extracted from cassava waste has been used to produce biodegradable films and packaging materials with tensile strength and flexibility comparable to conventional plastics. Studies from the Philippines and Thailand show that cassava bioplastics can generate value between 14 to 22 times higher than raw cassava roots.

By redirecting peel and pulp into packaging, processors reduce waste and create materials that decompose under natural conditions, offering a low-carbon alternative to petroleum-based plastics. This model demonstrates how a simple crop can feed into a circular materials economy that supports both environmental and industrial goals.

Cassava byproducts, the NCIA notes, are also valuable as inputs for renewable energy. Across research sites in Asia and Latin America, cassava peels, pulp and liquid effluent have been converted into bioethanol, biogas and other biofuels through fermentation or anaerobic digestion. These systems reduce the burden of agricultural waste while supplying energy to rural areas that often lack stable electricity.

They also cut methane emissions from decomposing biomass. Although many projects remain at pilot scale, they show how cassava waste can become a productive asset within a broader bioenergy system.

The insights stressed that industrial applications of cassava starch are also expanding. Further research by NCIA reveals that in Brazil, modified cassava starch is being explored as a binder in concrete and other construction materials. This type of industrial starch can improve the performance of concrete mixtures while reducing the reliance on synthetic binders. Globally, cassava starch already serves as a key input for paper, textiles, adhesives and pharmaceuticals.

Research suggests that industrial and modified cassava starches can deliver significantly higher value than raw roots, particularly when integrated into chemical and manufacturing supply chains.

Similar innovation is emerging in the packaging sector, where cassava produce has been used to produce biodegradable films with acceptable barrier and structural properties. Because cassava processing can produce nearly 900 kilograms of waste for every tonne of roots processed, this type of waste-to-value model carries both environmental and economic implications. It turns a disposal problem into new revenue potential while responding to growing global regulation on single-use plastics.

“These global examples offer important insights for Nigeria. The country produces more cassava than any other nation, with output estimated at over 60 million metric tonnes in 2023. Yet most of that production enters low-margin markets such as garri, fufu and basic flour.

“While these products are essential for food security, they do not capture the value seen in more advanced cassava-derived goods. Most processing facilities are not equipped for bioplastic production, waste valourisation or industrial-grade starch, and many operate without the laboratories, standards or quality systems required for higher-value markets,” the report read.

To participate in the next wave of cassava-driven innovations, the insights said Nigeria would need to strengthen several parts of its ecosystem. Processing infrastructure needs investment so that factories can handle both root starch and waste streams for industrial applications. Policies and standards that support biodegradable materials, biofuels and industrial starch will need to be developed. Financing will also play a central role, since many of these innovations require capital for research, testing and quality upgrades.

It added that domestic and export demand for these cassava-based materials will need to be cultivated through partnerships with manufacturers, retailers and global buyers, just as tapping into the opportunity will require private and public partnerships; the government has to put in place enabling policies and incentives that will catalyse capital and offtake agreements from the private sectors needed to take these innovations to scale.

“If these conditions can be built, cassava could shift from being viewed mainly as a subsistence crop to becoming a foundation for new green industries. It has the potential to support rural livelihoods, reduce waste, generate renewable energy and contribute to a more climate-aligned industrial future.

“As other regions move forward with innovative cassava derivatives, Nigeria has an opportunity to learn, adapt and chart its own path. The raw material is abundant. The global demand signals are clear. The question now is whether the supporting ecosystem will evolve to unlock cassava’s next frontier.”