US based firm to establish food processing hub in Ogun, targets cassava-based market growth
Shine Bridge Global (SBG), a U.S.-based food science and agribusiness company, has unveiled an ambitious plan to strengthen its presence in Nigeria’s food processing sector through the launch of three cassava-based premixes and the establishment of a modern processing hub in Ogun State.
In a statement signed by Chairman Dr. Tony Bello, the company announced the rollout of:
- RootiFufu – instant fufu in the amala style,
- RootiBake – cassava-based baked goods premix, and
- RootiSnacks – a premix for cassava-based snacks.
These products are tailored for Nigeria’s growing food service and retail markets. While limited co-manufacturing of Rooti brands will continue in Germany for quick market entry, SBG has confirmed that large-scale production will transition to Nigeria. The company’s state-of-the-art processing hub will be situated at the ARISE IIP Shagamu-Iperi Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Ogun State.
The investment is expected to reduce logistics and blending costs, unlock industrial cassava utilization, and stimulate job creation. To ensure efficient downstream distribution, SBG has partnered with Value Ingredients Limited (VIL), Graceco, and Spectra Ingredients, with a test launch of Rooti brands planned for Christmas 2025.
“The move reflects our commitment to high-quality, affordable, and culturally relevant cassava-based food products for Nigerian and global consumers,” Bello said. “By investing in Nigeria’s SAPZ ecosystem, we are saving costs while creating lasting value for communities, investors, and the cassava value chain.”
Beyond cassava, the planned SBG Food Processing Hub is designed for scalability, with capacity to expand into soybean and specialty food processing for both domestic consumption and exports. The initiative builds on SBG’s Cassava Kingdom Movement, which mobilizes diaspora-led capital, talent, and technology to drive food systems industrialization across Africa.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
SBG’s entry into Nigeria’s cassava processing space reflects a strategic alignment of innovation, industrialization, and food security goals, with key implications for agri-food stakeholders:
- Industrializing the Cassava Value Chain
Nigeria is the world’s largest cassava producer, yet industrial utilization remains limited. SBG’s processing hub can catalyze value addition by converting raw cassava into premixes and other food-grade products, unlocking a multi-billion-naira market. - Strengthening SAPZ as an Agro-Industrial Hub
Locating operations within the Shagamu-Iperi SAPZ enhances the zone’s role as a magnet for agribusiness investment. This supports the Federal Government’s SAPZ strategy to de-risk agro-industrialization and attract private capital into food processing clusters. - Diaspora-Driven Agribusiness Investment
The Cassava Kingdom Movement demonstrates the growing role of diaspora investors in scaling Africa’s food systems. By bringing international capital and know-how, SBG bridges gaps between global markets and local value chains. - Boosting Food Security and Consumer Choice
Products like RootiFufu and RootiBake offer culturally relevant, convenient, and affordable alternatives for households while expanding Nigeria’s options for import substitution in food processing. - Job Creation and Export Potential
With expanded cassava, soybean, and specialty food processing, SBG’s hub could create thousands of jobs while positioning Nigeria as a competitive exporter of value-added foods.
Conclusion
Shine Bridge Global’s investment marks a turning point for cassava industrialization in Nigeria. By combining diaspora-led innovation with Nigeria’s agro-industrial policy frameworks, the initiative not only addresses inefficiencies in cassava utilization but also positions Nigeria as a hub for food technology and exports. If successfully scaled, SBG’s model could set a benchmark for how private-sector innovation transforms African food systems.
