Nigeria has begun moves to transform its cashew industry into a globally competitive billion-dollar sector as key stakeholders gathered in Abuja to validate a National Cashew Roadmap expected to drive investment, boost local processing and increase export earnings.
The two-day meeting, holding between July 15 and 16 at Bolton White Residence, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, brought together farmers, processors, exporters, traders, researchers, government agencies and development partners to fine-tune the roadmap before its formal adoption.
According to the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), the roadmap will provide a policy and strategic framework for the development of the industry between 2026 and 2035.
Speaking at the event, NCAN President, Chief Ademola Adesokan, described the validation exercise as long overdue, saying Nigeria must act fast to reclaim its place in the global cashew market.
“Nigeria is home to some of the finest cashews in the world, yet we have watched countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Cambodia and Vietnam build processing industries that should have been ours,” he said.
Adesokan added that although Nigeria could not recover the opportunities lost over the years, the country still had a narrow window to compete for greater value in the global cashew business.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the roadmap as a strategic initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving product quality and traceability, and strengthening the nation’s economy.
He said the initiative would expand farmers’ access to local and international markets, create jobs, attract investments and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the cashew value chain through sustained collaboration with stakeholders.
According to NCAN, the roadmap seeks to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on exporting raw cashew nuts by promoting local processing and value addition to maximise economic benefits.
The association commended the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for supporting the initiative and urged all stakeholders to work together for its successful implementation.
The document, expected to guide the industry from 2026 to 2035, also focuses on improving trade policies, increasing productivity through improved hybrid seedlings, creating jobs and boosting non-oil exports.
NCAN clarified that the roadmap does not support genetically modified organisms (GMOs) but encourages the cultivation of improved hybrid cashew varieties developed by Nigerian research institutions.
Stakeholders are also expected to review plans to produce and distribute 500 million improved cashew seedlings nationwide in 2026 under an initiative backed by the Office of the Vice President, with Kogi State expected to distribute five million seedlings this year.
Jointly organised by NCAN and the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), the validation meeting builds on resolutions reached during the association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting and the 4th Nigeria Cashew Day.
Participants expressed optimism that successful implementation of the roadmap would strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global cashew market, promote agro-industrialisation, increase non-oil export earnings and accelerate rural economic development.
