Côte d’Ivoire has officially launched the Interprofessional Organization of the Manioc Sector (OIA Manioc), a new body designed to bring structure, transparency, and long-term planning to the country’s growing cassava industry, which now produces 8.4 million tonnes annually. The announcement came during a roundtable held in Abidjan on January 27, which brought together government officials, private-sector actors, technical and financial partners, and industry stakeholders including producers, processors, and traders.
The launch follows a process initiated in November 2025 and represents a strategic shift from a fragmented sector to a coordinated and ambitious industry. Yedoh Kévin Nomel, chairman of the board of OIA Manioc, emphasized the organization’s goals over the next three years. “OIA Manioc will consolidate governance, establish a detailed mapping of the sector, implement data collection and traceability systems, structure financing mechanisms tailored to various segments, and deploy harmonized quality standards alongside reliable supply contracts,” he said.
The move is part of broader government efforts to strengthen the cassava value chain. In May 2025, authorities secured two loans totaling 45.9 billion CFA francs (approximately $83.7 million) from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to support the Manioc Value Chain Development Project. The project aims to expand cassava production and processing capacity through the development of 40,000 hectares of agricultural land, the preparation of 70 hectares of irrigated areas for manioc cuttings, and the construction of new processing units. These initiatives are intended to support local farmers, increase output, and create opportunities for agro-industrial development.
Côte d’Ivoire has seen impressive growth in cassava production over the past five years, with output rising 31% from 6.4 million tonnes in 2020 to 8.4 million tonnes in 2024. Despite this progress, the country still lags behind regional leaders. Nigeria, the world’s largest producer, harvests over 60 million tonnes annually, while Ghana produces approximately 25 million tonnes, according to FAO data. The launch of OIA Manioc is therefore seen as a critical step toward closing the competitiveness gap and professionalizing the sector.
The creation of the interprofessional body also reflects a growing recognition of the importance of strong governance, reliable data, and investment in value-chain development. By introducing traceability systems and harmonized quality standards, OIA Manioc seeks to attract both domestic and international investment while providing farmers and processors with more predictable market access. Financing tools tailored to different segments of the industry are expected to enable smaller producers to scale operations, while larger players can increase processing and export capacity.
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Government officials and industry stakeholders highlighted the importance of collaboration between public authorities, financial institutions, and private operators. The OIA Manioc model is designed to balance economic growth with social impact, ensuring that farmers, processors, and traders all benefit from the sector’s expansion.
The launch comes amid increasing regional demand for cassava and its derivative products, including flour, starch, and ethanol. Experts argue that structuring the sector will enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s ability to compete in regional markets and strengthen food security while supporting industrialization goals.
“The establishment of OIA Manioc is a decisive step in transforming the cassava sector into a structured, transparent, and high-value industry,” Nomel said. “It reflects our ambition to consolidate governance, strengthen the value chain, and attract sustainable investment while ensuring that farmers and local communities benefit from the sector’s growth.”
With its comprehensive focus on governance, data, financing, and quality, OIA Manioc is expected to play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of Côte d’Ivoire’s cassava industry, positioning the country as a key player in the regional agricultural economy and providing a model for value-chain development in West Africa.
