Introduction 

The global crises of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change are increasing the risk of food shortages, inflation, and poverty in Africa, as global food and fuel prices also rise. The Pan-African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) under the framework of the African Union (AU) has identified cassava as a poverty-fighter capable of spurring industrial development and food security in Africa.
Root-based crops have huge potential to fight hunger and poverty in Africa. Cassava root and its allied products present real opportunities for income generation for the rural population, as well as for diversification and expansion into new growth markets as substitutes for various imported items.

A versatile crop that can be grown in a variety of agro- ecological conditions, cassava is highly resistant to drought and environmental stresses and is consumed as a staple food in many African countries. This contributes significantly to the self-sustainability and economic growth of millions of small-scale farmers in rural Africa.

However, the cassava value chain faces many challenges such as low productivity, poor product quality, limited utilization and market opportunities. These challenges highlight the role that quality infrastructure institutions can play.

This brochure aims to raise awareness of the role of quality infrastructure to support the industry in tapping into the huge potential for the economic development of the cassava value chain in Africa.