Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important staple crops in Nigeria, providing food, income, and industrial raw materials for millions of households. Nigeria remains the largest producer of cassava globally, with annual production exceeding 60 million metric tonnes, much of which is cultivated across the southern and middle belt regions. Despite this abundance, a large proportion of cassava is still consumed in traditional forms such as garri, fufu, and starch, with relatively limited industrial transformation into high-value food products. This presents a significant opportunity for value addition, particularly in the production of cassava-based noodles.

Cassava noodles are a gluten-free, high-carbohydrate food product produced from cassava flour or starch, either as a full substitute or in combination with other flours. They offer a locally sourced alternative to wheat-based noodles, which dominate Nigeria’s fast-growing convenience food market. Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported wheat—spending billions of naira annually—cassava noodles provide a strategic pathway for import substitution, foreign exchange savings, and food security enhancement.

The South Eastern region of Nigeria—comprising Anambra State, Abia State, Imo State, Enugu State, and Ebonyi State—offers a particularly favorable environment for cassava-based agro-processing. The region is a major cassava-producing belt, supported by fertile soils, favorable climate, and a large network of smallholder farmers. In addition, it is home to densely populated urban centers such as Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, and Enugu, which represent significant consumer markets for fast-moving food products like noodles.

The demand for noodles in Nigeria has grown rapidly over the past two decades, driven by urbanization, busy lifestyles, and the need for affordable and convenient meals. Nigeria is now one of the largest consumers of instant noodles in Africa, with annual consumption running into billions of servings. However, this market is dominated by wheat-based products produced from imported raw materials. Cassava noodles present a unique opportunity to capture a share of this market by offering a locally sourced, affordable, and gluten-free alternative that appeals to health-conscious consumers and supports national agricultural development.

The production of cassava noodles involves the processing of cassava into high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) or starch, followed by mixing, extrusion, steaming, drying, and packaging into finished noodle products. Modern processing technology ensures product consistency, improved texture, and extended shelf life, making cassava noodles competitive with conventional wheat noodles. The required equipment—such as flour mixers, extruders, steamers, dryers, and packaging machines—can be sourced locally or imported depending on the scale of operation.

The proposed project envisions the establishment of a medium-scale cassava noodles production plant in South Eastern Nigeria, with a processing capacity of 2–5 tonnes per day at full capacity utilization. The plant is expected to operate for approximately 300 working days annually, sourcing raw cassava from local farmers and processors. This integration of farming and processing ensures a steady supply of raw materials while supporting rural livelihoods.

From a financial perspective, cassava noodles production offers strong potential for profitability due to high demand, relatively low raw material costs, and opportunities for product differentiation. Revenue can be generated through sales to wholesalers, supermarkets, retail outlets, schools, and food service providers. Branding, packaging, and distribution will play a critical role in capturing market share and building consumer trust.

Beyond financial returns, the project contributes significantly to economic development by promoting value addition, job creation, and rural industrialization. It also aligns with government policies encouraging the use of cassava in industrial applications and reducing dependence on imported wheat. Furthermore, cassava noodles can be positioned for export to regional markets within West Africa, where demand for affordable staple foods is increasing.

Cassava noodles production in South Eastern Nigeria represents a highly viable, innovative, and forward-looking investment opportunity. With abundant raw materials, a large and growing market, and strong policy support, the business is well-positioned to deliver sustainable returns while contributing to food security, import substitution, and the development of Nigeria’s agro-processing sector.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 Business Overview

1.1 Description of the Business

1.2 Vision and Mission Statement

1.3 Business Objective

1.4 Value Proposition

1.5 Critical Success Factor of the Business

1.6 Current Status of Business

1.7 Description of the Business Industry

1.8 Contribution to Local and National Economy

2. Marketing Plan

2.1 Description of the Products

2.2 Product Packaging and Delivery

2.3 The Opportunity

2.4 Pricing Strategy

2.5 Target Market

2.6 Distribution and Delivery Strategy

2.7 Promotional Strategy

2.8 Competition

3. Production Plan

3.1 Description of the Location

3.2 Raw Materials

3.3 Production Facilities and Equipment

3.4 Production Process

3.5 Production Cost

3.6 Stock Control Process

3.7 Pre-Operating Activities and Expenses

3.7.1 Operating Activities and Expenses

3.8 Project Implementation Schedule

4.0 Organizational and Management Plan

4.1 Ownership of the Business

4.2 Profile of the Promoters

4.3 Key Management Staff

4.3.2 Management Support Units

4.4 Details of Salary Schedule

5. Financial Plan

5.1 Financial Assumption

5.2 Start-Up Capital Estimation

5.3 Source of Capital

5.4 Security of Loan

5.5 Loan Repayment Plan

5.6 Profit and Loss Statement

5.7 Cash flow Statement

5.8 Viability Analysis

6.0 Business Risks, Mitigation Strategies and SWOT Analysis

6.1 Business Risks and Mitigation Strategies

6.2 SWOT Analysis