ACA President Calls for Investment and Collaboration to Unlock Nigeria’s Cashew Potential

The Board President of the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), Mr. Ibrahim Sanfo, has called on Nigeria and other African cashew producing countries to invest more in local processing and domestic consumption as a pathway to sustainable growth.

Speaking at the National Cashew Day and official flag-off of the 2026 cashew season in Abuja on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, Mr. Sanfo described Nigeria as one of the most strategic countries for the future of the global cashew industry.

He explained that beyond being a major producer, Nigeria represents one of Africa’s most untapped consumer markets for cashew, calling for the right investments to unlock the industry’s full potential in Nigeria.

“Beyond production, Nigeria’s large and growing population positions the country as one of the greatest untapped consumer markets for cashew in Africa. With the right policies and investment, Nigeria has a unique advantage in shaping the future of the cashew industry,” he said.

Mr. Sanfo emphasized that achieving sustainability in the cashew industry in Nigeria and Africa requires strategic investment into increasing local processing and promoting local consumption.

“To achieve the transformation and growth we desire as an industry in Nigeria and Africa, we need strong collaboration and partnerships between governments and the private sector, between farmers and processors, between investors and processors, and between researchers and farmers,” he added.

Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading cashew producing countries, contributing significantly to the continent’s position as the world’s largest source of raw cashew nuts. The industry contributes to employment creation, export revenue and rural development. However, despite this potential, growth in the Nigerian cashew industry remains constrained by structural challenges, major among them being the low levels of local processing.

Currently, less than 10 percent of Nigeria’s total cashew production is processed locally, with the vast majority exported in raw form. This limits value addition, foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities.

The theme of this year’s Nigeria Cashew Day, “unlocking the full potential of the Nigerian cashew industry,” according to Mr. Sanfo, was fit for purpose and reflective of the urgent reforms needed in the industry in Nigeria.

The ceremony attracted high-level government officials, development partners, farmers, processors, traders and investors, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the cashew value chain in Nigeria.

Mr. Sanfo concluded by informing stakeholders that the 2026 ACA Annual Cashew Conference and Expo will be held in Ghana from 22nd to 25th September 2026, where industry players from across the globe will once again convene to discuss the future of the cashew industry