Some experts on Monday expressed concerns about the untapped and underutilised potential of bamboo in Anambra and across the country.

The experts expressed their displeasure at an investors’ forum on bamboo value chain development in Awka, Anambra.

The forum was organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Anambra Office, in collaboration with the Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED).

The forum had the theme: “Strengthening Investment Opportunities in Bamboo Value Chain for Sustainable Industrial Growth and Economic Development in Anambra State.’’

Muyisa Kazimoto, vice-chancellor of Open Learning University, Democratic Republic of Congo, described bamboo as a transformative green resource for Africa’s sustainability agenda.

Mr Kazimoto identified weak policy coordination, lack of processing units, limited innovation and restricted access to finance as key challenges in harnessing the benefits of bamboo resources.

Africa faces environmental degradation, poverty and youth unemployment. The green economy model emphasises equity, resource efficiency and resilience. A green economy also improves human welfare and reduces ecological risks.

“Bamboo emerges as a renewable, fast-growing resource and an investment opportunity as it grows fast and regenerates without replanting. I recommend the institutionalisation of bamboo in the national development framework and the establishment of bamboo clusters and innovation zones.

“We need to mobilise public-private partnerships, integrate bamboo in climate finance systems and support community-driven inclusive bamboo enterprises,“ Mr Kazimoto said.

In his address, Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, director-general of RMRDC, said the bamboo value chain holds significant potential for economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability.

The valuable resource of bamboo is highly underutilised in Nigeria. Developing the bamboo value chain can contribute to Nigeria’s green economy, reduce deforestation and provide raw materials for various industries.

“We must explore new investment models, modern processing technologies and value addition opportunities,” he said.

Diana Doheny, co-founder of Afroforestry Impact and Regeneration, USA, said the global bamboo market was estimated at $67.13 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $90 billion by 2030.

Ms Doheny stated that China produces more than 60 per cent of the world’s bamboo and exports bamboo-based products to more than 100 countries worldwide.

According to her, the 2024 global market estimate for bamboo is $67.13 billion, which is the projected market of $90 billion by 2030.

“The global market for bamboo furniture is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2026.

“Bamboo can also potentially be used as a structural additive to cement,” she said.

In his remarks, John Ogbodo, director of SIBRED, harped on the need to pay close attention to the benefits of bamboo resources.

Mr Ogbodo said Nigeria, the second-largest bamboo-producing country in West Africa, lacks an operational national bamboo policy, regulations and standards for establishing plantations.

“There is no single state in Nigeria that currently has at least one hectare of planted bamboo forest.

“No known government-owned bamboo forest nursery with at least 1,000 bamboo seedlings anywhere in Nigeria.

“I hope this forum will motivate investment in the bamboo value chain development in Anambra and Nigeria at large,” he said. 

(NAN)