Cassava Value-Chain Could Drive Cameroon’s Industrialisation, Say CEPI Experts

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, PAV – The Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI) of the Henri Kouam Foundation convened a high-level working session on Zoom on Monday under the theme “Cassava Value-Chain: How to Achieve Economic Transformation and Industrialisation.” The session brought together agriculture experts, agro-entrepreneurs, policymakers, and members of CEPI’s Agriculture Council to discuss strategies for transforming Cameroon’s cassava sector.

Henri Kouam, founder of CEPI, opened the session by highlighting Cameroon’s significant position in Africa’s cassava production. The country produces 15 million tons of cassava annually, primarily through smallholder farmers, yet persistent challenges such as climate change, high fertiliser costs, and traditional farming methods hinder industrial growth.

Dr Sali Bourou of the Institute for Research and Agricultural Development (IRAD) noted that cassava production remains largely subsistence-based and family-focused. “With shifting climate patterns and a focus on subsistence, farmers are not incentivised to scale and industrialise – usually producing products like fufu, flakes, and baton de manioc. Producers are far away from industrial zones, increasing transport times and accelerating agricultural loss,” he said.

Dr Bourou recommended a system of institutional purchase to create certainty and incentives to scale, while using newer seed varieties produced by IRAD to boost productivity.

Ousmane Daibou, Board Chair of AAEDC, emphasised that climate change and current economic incentives affect farmers unevenly. While importers of agricultural equipment benefit from duty suspensions, local farmers often see little relief in input costs.

Daibou also stressed the need to shift processing from traditional foods to industrial products. “Processing is limited to traditional foods, not industrial ones like bioethanol or paper. Rather than create new incentives, current investment incentives should be marketed to potential investors,” he said.

Léandre Fotso Simo, CEO of ETS Alpha Leader Corporate, highlighted land access as a critical barrier for young farmers. He explained that without company registration, youths cannot own more than ten hectares, limiting their ability to scale production. He cautions on the need for accessible initiatives to promote land ownership and access, noting that “this will accelerate production and speed up industrialisation and new products ranging from cereal to bioethanol.”

Zogo Benoit, a farmer with over 3 hectares, proposed creating a centralised registry of cassava farmers to better coordinate production and policy implementation. He cited South Korea’s rice system as a model, noting that organised family-based systems can scale production, meet local demand, and enhance exports.

Agro-entrepreneur Ghislain Vorbain emphasised the role of market-based systems in linking buyers and sellers to improve efficiency. He warned that logistical challenges and high post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 40% of cassava, must be addressed.

He noted that e-commerce apps exist but are not adapted to Cameroon, as less than 50% of citizens access the internet. To address the digital divide, incentives for local manufacturing along major metropolitan zones in rural areas can reinforce production and create greater certainty for farmers. However, he argues that free markets and entrepreneurship can accelerate industrialisation and economic security.

CEPI says it will continue to drive economic development in Cameroon through research, policy advocacy, and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and free-market solutions. A comprehensive policy brief for policymakers is expected to be prepared and shared in 2026.