Aspuna processing & manufacturing plants

Aspuna is transforming agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa by implementing innovative processing and manufacturing solutions for the food, biobase materials and biofuel value chains.

Our decentralised, community-focused approach maximises the economic, social and environmental returns that our rural partners can extract from their crops.

Aspuna’s links to global markets connects these communities to international collaborative efforts to increase food security and enable the transition to a green economy.

Our factories in The Gambia, Tanzania and Nigeria turn locally grown raw materials into high-quality food products, bio-fuel feedstock and bio-plastic that meet international trading standards.

Partner with Aspuna to unlock Africa's agricultural potential, drive sustainable economic growth, and make a significant social impact.

Bags of cassava starch ready for distribution

Our operations

The Gambia: Our flagship facility

"We're unlocking the country's abundant but underutilised agricultural wealth to co-create a thriving and integrated sector."

Maria-Yassin Jah, Cofounder, Aspuna Group

Our flagship manufacturing operation in The Gambia features a 1,200-square-metre processing factory that enables our farming partners to transform cassava into premium starch, animal feed, and natural fertiliser. Aspuna Gambia Ltd. is a technical and commercial blueprint for our other factories, demonstrating our commitment to quality and innovation.

Key products: Cassava starch, animal feed, natural fertiliser.
Impact: Supports local farmers, creates jobs, and boosts the economy.

Tanzania: a joint venture for innovation

"Tanzania is a fantastic place to be. We are still just at the beginning of what is possible, given the natural wealth of this country."

Dr Luis Prazeres, Cofounder, Aspuna Group

Aspuna Tanzania, established in partnership with JV Biotech Enterprises Company Limited, focuses on adding value to agricultural raw materials such as cassava, potato, and maize. Since 2016, we have also produced bio-plastic bags and disposable food containers using potato peels. Together, we are working to upgrade and mechanise our Tanzanian operations.

Key products: Tapioca starch, cassava flour, bio-fertilizer, animal feed.
Innovation: Production of eco-friendly bio-plastics.
Future goals: Enhance production capabilities and increase mechanisation.

Nigeria: Empowering local farmers

"The partnership will strengthen Atland Foods, supporting our goal of achieving a sustainable, world-class, and community-friendly organisation."

Mr Abdulhakeem Tijani, Founder, Atland Foods and CEO, Aspuna Nigeria

Aspuna Nigeria, created with Atland Foods, addresses Nigeria's socio-economic challenges through agro-processing. Our collaboration aims to reduce post-harvest loss, enhance smallholder farmers' income, and boost the Nigerian economy with minimal waste.

Key products: Cassava, garri.
Impact: Reduces waste, increases farmer income, and supports sustainable development.
Future goals: Further upgrade and mechanise operations.

Co-creation programme

Aspuna's co-creation programme provides full project development support for local SMEs and governments who aim to boost agricultural processing and trade capacity in sub-Saharan Africa through public-private partnerships.

We believe in local value addition as a catalyst for socioeconomic development.

Opportunities: Socio-economic growth for private enterprises, farmers' associations, government departments, and NGOs.
Mission: Unlock Africa's agricultural riches for sustainable growth.

Recent examples

Sierra Leone: Raising finance to expand and upgrade existing processing plant

Aspuna was commissioned by a local business to provide technical advisory services. The brief was to devise a sustainable strategy for a new cassava flour factory, including building and equipping it to meet international trading standards, as well as sourcing investment.

Key products: Cassava, garri.
Impact: Raised equity investment for a plant that reduces waste, increases farmer income and supports sustainable development.
Future goals: Further upgrade and mechanise operations.

Sierra Leone highlighted on a map of Africa

Uganda: Supporting a local Farmers' association to diversify into food and pharmaceutical-grade starch

A local agricultural trading company, spun out of a farming association, representing more than 3,000 farmers, commissioned Aspuna to develop the commercial and technical strategy for the construction of an extensive cassava processing facility capable of processing food and pharmaceutical-grade starch to international standards.

Key products: Cassava starch, garri.
Impact: Value-addition in Northern Uganda, youth employment.
Future goals: Expansion of processing portfolio.

Nigeria: developing and delivering a state-wide agricultural production and processing strategy

Aspuna supported a South Eastern Nigerian government in developing and implementing a state-wide inclusive agricultural production and processing strategy to regenerate an environment that was heavily polluted after decades of irresponsible oil drilling and illicit trade. Strengthening the role of women was at the core of this approach.

Key products: Cassava, plantain, rice.
Impact: Provided the state with a clear strategy and investible plan to support fundraising and expansion that will result in the regeneration of polluted land and the strengthening of women’s roles.
Future goals: The project will be the blueprint for further value-addition across the state.

Namibia: Steering local consultants to complete an agri-processing market value chain analysis

“We have never partnered with a private business before, but Aspuna Group is no ordinary private enterprise. It is registered as a social impact business and is practitioner-led. This was vital to our agreement as we know its team make innovation happen.”

Naziha El Moussaoui, Senior Food Security & Livelihoods Advisor, British Red Cross

Red Cross commissioned Aspuna to steer local consultants to complete a market value chain analysis with a view to co-investing in processing plants meeting UN SDG Goals.

Key products: In developement.
Impact: Extending our impact pioneering approach to include partnering with third-sector organisations proven to be effective, driving forward socioeconomic development beyond the Sambesi region of Namibia.
Future goals: To partner with more third-sector organisations across sub Saharan Africa.

Senegal: Supporting a local entrepreneur to diversify into pharmaceutical-grade starch

A local entrepreneur commissioned Aspuna to create an extensive cassava processing facility capable of processing pharmaceutical-grade starch to international standards.

Key products: Cassava.
Impact: Senegal is now able to reduce starch imports for the pharmaceutical industry.

Join us in making a difference

Aspuna is committed to continuing to co-create a sustainable future for Sub-Saharan Africa. By investing in our food processing and manufacturing operations, you will contribute to a more equitable world.

Download Brochure

Reach out today to explore how Aspuna can help you make a lasting impact on Africa's agriculture sector.

Join us in making international trading fair and sustainable.