Pan-African initiative brings together Olam Agri’s baker development programmes to scale skills and equip aspiring food entrepreneurs with the resources and knowledge to meet growing demand for wheat-based foods.
Olam Agri has launched “Baking Brighter Futures,” a pan-African initiative to develop baking skills, promote entrepreneurship and improve livelihoods. Backed by planned investments of US$2 million through 2030, it aims to train over 20,000 bakers, bakery owners, and aspiring food entrepreneurs via baking academies and partnerships with vocational institutions to nurture early-stage businesses, equipping them with the skills, resources and knowledge to meet the growing demand for wheat-based foods.
Baking Brighter Futures brings together Olam Agri’s baker development programmes across its markets to create greater impact for bakers and their communities. Since 2019, more than 10,000 bakers across Africa, around half of them women, have benefitted from the company’s baking programmes across Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon with dedicated baking academies in Nigeria and Ghana, with further academies being established in Cameroon, Senegal and other selected African markets.
“Baking Brighter Futures reflects our ambition to invest in the people and the communities who are helping shape Africa’s baking sector,” said Ashish Pande, global commercial head of wheat milling at Olam Agri. “Demand for wheat-based foods continues to grow across Africa, creating opportunities for bakers and food entrepreneurs across the value chain. Through this initiative, we want to help bakers strengthen their technical capabilities, improve product quality and food safety standards, and enable businesses to thrive and grow alongside the markets they serve.”
Africa’s growing population is driving demand for affordable, accessible food, including wheat-based products such as bread, beignets and other baked goods. While this is creating opportunities for bakers and food entrepreneurs, it’s also raising the bar on product quality, food safety and business resilience.
Participants receive training in baking techniques, product innovation, food safety and hygiene, alongside business management skills such as financial literacy, cost management, marketing and entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to help bakers and entrepreneurs build sustainable and profitable businesses, create jobs and contribute to local economic development, while expanding opportunities for women, youth and underserved communities.
Olam Agri is deepening partnerships with vocational and educational institutions to enable participants to receive nationally recognised certifications. In Nigeria, Olam Agri’s baker training programmes are certified by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), while in Ghana the company works with institutions including the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service (TVET) to strengthen baking skills, food safety and entrepreneurship.
“Baking Brighter Futures reflects our commitment to creating economic opportunities and strengthening livelihoods across our value chains,” said Shailendra Mishra, global head of sustainability, food and feed at Olam Agri. “Through partnerships with vocational institutions, schools, foundations, industry associations and community organisations, we aim to expand access to skills development, support women and youth entrepreneurs, and help build more resilient and inclusive communities.”
Baking Brighter Futures is part of Olam Agri’s broader commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, supporting the people and enterprises that help feed Africa’s growing population. This commitment is making real and tangible differences. One such example is Amina Tijani, who participated in the baking academy in Nigeria and developed valuable skills:
Amina Tijani always had a passion for baking and loved producing pastries and small chops or finger foods from her home. She struggled with inconsistent recipes and lacked the technical knowledge needed to grow. Enrolling in Olam Agri’s baking academy in Nigeria changed her direction. Through the programme, Amina gained the practical skills to improve her baking and the business know-how to give her the confidence to pursue her ambition to open a professional bakery. Today, Amina runs Minex Bakery, where product quality has built customer loyalty and demand exceeds supply. Her business is now outgrowing its premises, and Amina is planning a larger location or additional outlets. She has also created opportunities for women, extending the academy’s impact through her growing workforce.
