Meet the woman who has turned cassava into a big business opportunity - Zambia

Meet the woman who has turned cassava into a big business opportunity

Susan Sakala took interest in cassava processing after her husband was diagnosed with diabetes. She began doing research on foods suitable for diabetic people and she discovered the remarkable benefits of cassava. She instantly smelt a business opportunity and not long after, she had founded Proferer General Dealers. That was in 2012.

The company focuses on cassava processing and has since been processing Gari Meal, which is the main ingredient. Also from Gari Meal, they have been able to produce cereal, cassava chocolate and cassava porridge. The company received K50,000 from The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) which they used to acquire machinery.

Mrs Sakala indicated that her consumers are mostly people living in the local community, although she is trying to penetrate supermarkets and later begin to the export once the local market has been satisfied. Although her company has had challenges with markets and where to supply its products, Mrs Sakala remains upbeat because institutions including the World Bank have shown an interest in providing a platform for her business.

She urges people living with diabetes to buy her processed foods, as the products will help improve their health condition.