The trade mission is led by the Nigerian Minister of Commerce, Idris Wadiri and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Bamidele Dada.

The trade mission's objective is to create awareness of the strategic importance of the cassava crop to African development, share with other countries the various techniques that have already been developed to boost the production the crop, to promote trade of the crop among African countries, and generate interest in the crop and attract local and foreign investment in the export-oriented cassava industries in Nigeria.

The trade mission organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Presidential Committee on cassava export promotion will also visit Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Burundi.

Cassava can be used for human consumption, animal feed, ethanol and industrial purposes.

The drought-resistant cassava crop is said to have more than 1 000 industrial applications.

The crop is grown commercially in 32 out of the 36 provinces of the vast West African nation, which has a population of more than 115 million; and about 35 million tonnes of cassava is produced yearly.

Currently Europe and North America are the biggest importers of cassava starch.

At the opening of the presentation and exhibition of cassava and other made-in-Nigeria products at a local hotel in Windhoek, Waziri said strengthening trade relations between African countries was a way of empowering each other and the continent.

Waziri said by trading within African between the countries themselves, the continent could improve individual country economies, fight against poverty and disease and create employment.

Waziri, said although Nigeria was rich in oil, the country was focussing on unperishable resources of agriculture, like cassava.

Namibian Trade and Industry Minister, Jesaya Nyamu said bilateral relations between Namibia and Nigeria continue to strengthen, and urged the delegation to spread the word on cassava, saying few Namibians had in-depth knowledge about the crop.

Nyamu said Southern Africa - which is drought-prone - should take advantage of cassava, as it is a drought-resistant crop, since crops grown in the region are heavily dependent on rainfall.

The delegation, which arrived in the country at the weekend, met with the Nigerian business community in Namibia and also representatives of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

An exhibition of cassava, cassava products and other Nigerian products was also on display at a local hotel in Windhoek.

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