The PUNCH has featured Prof. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the African Technology and Innovation Institute (ATII), in a report highlighting the potential of Cross River State’s agricultural resources to support industrial production and global manufacturing.
Published on 15 October 2026, the report, titled “Turn Cassava, Cocoa to Global Products – Expert,” highlights Prof. Ekeng-Itua’s call for the Cross River State Government to transform the state’s agricultural resources, including cassava, cocoa, and oil palm, into globally competitive products.
She emphasised the need to invest in smart manufacturing and move beyond exporting raw materials without adding value locally.
From Agricultural Resources to Global Products
Prof. Ekeng-Itua identified cassava flour, edible plastics, chocolate, and renewable energy as opportunities for Cross River State to develop its agricultural resources into valuable industrial products.
She also highlighted the potential of cassava-based products, noting the growing interest in alternatives to wheat-based products and the opportunities this presents for local processing.
Turning Cassava into Innovative Products
Prof. Ekeng-Itua disclosed that her laboratory had developed edible plastics from cassava flour, demonstrating how locally available agricultural resources can be explored for industrial applications beyond food production.
This innovation highlights the potential of research to create new products from local resources while addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional plastics.
Adding Value to Cocoa and Oil Palm
The report also highlights opportunities in cocoa processing. Cross River exports raw cocoa but imports finished chocolate products at higher prices. Developing local cocoa processing and chocolate manufacturing could help the state retain more value from its agricultural production.
Oil palm was identified as another resource with industrial potential, with applications in the cosmetics, food and beverage industries, as well as renewable energy production. Palm fruit chaff was also mentioned as a potential source of biodegradable energy.
Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap
Prof. Ekeng-Itua stressed the importance of collaboration among government, industry, and academia in building a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.
The report also highlights the need to prepare Nigerian young people for emerging opportunities in technology-driven industries. It cites projections of more than 260 million digital jobs in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, attributed to the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
ATII’s Commitment to Industrial Development
Prof. Ekeng-Itua established ATII to help bridge the gap between government, industry, and academia in advancing manufacturing and industrial development.
As a research-driven technology innovation, deployment, and capacity-building company, ATII is committed to addressing Africa’s industrial challenges through sustainable technology solutions and future-focused workforce development.
Read the original report in The PUNCH: https://punchng.com/turn-cassava-cocoa-to-global-products-expert/