Prof. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua advocates smart manufacturing to transform local agricultural produce into globally competitive products.
The Guardian 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 on the potential of smart manufacturing to transform Cross River State’s agricultural resources into globally competitive products.
Published on 14 October 2026, the report, titled “Cross River Can Turn Cassava, Cocoa into Global Products, Says Expert,” highlights Prof. Ekeng-Itua’s call for the Cross River State Government to invest in smart manufacturing and local processing to create jobs and retain more economic value within the state.
From Raw Materials to Finished Products
Cross River’s cassava, cocoa, and oil palm offer opportunities to develop products for local and international markets. According to the report, investment in modern manufacturing could support the production of cassava flour, biodegradable plastics, chocolate, and renewable energy.
Prof. Ekeng-Itua also highlighted the growing market potential for cassava-based products amid concerns about gluten intolerance associated with wheat. The report noted her disclosure that her laboratory had developed edible and biodegradable plastics from cassava flour, offering a potential alternative to conventional plastics and additional markets for cassava farmers and processors.
Expanding the Value of Cocoa and Oil Palm
The report identifies cocoa processing as another opportunity for Cross River to retain more revenue from its agricultural production. Exporting raw cocoa while importing finished chocolate products limits the value local producers and businesses can capture.
Oil palm also presents opportunities for processing into products for the cosmetics, food and beverage industries, as well as renewable energy. The report further highlights the potential of palm fruit chaff as a source of biodegradable energy, creating opportunities to make productive use of agricultural by-products.
Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap
Prof. Ekeng-Itua emphasised the need for collaboration among government, industry, and academic institutions to build a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. The report also highlights her call to prepare young people for emerging opportunities in the digital economy through relevant technical skills.
To encourage local production, she advocated tax incentives for companies that manufacture goods domestically and source their raw materials within Nigeria.
ATII’s Role in Industrial Development
The report also highlights ATII’s role in bridging the gap between technological research, industrial production, and the skills required by modern manufacturing businesses.
Through its work in technology innovation, deployment, and capacity building, ATII is committed to supporting sustainable technology solutions and developing a future-ready workforce to address Africa’s industrial challenges.
Read the Full Article Here:
https://guardian.ng/news/cross-river-can-turn-cassava-cocoa-into-global-products-says-expert/