Olam Agri, a global agribusiness company, plans to invest $2 million by 2030 to train more than 20,000 bakers, bakery owners, and food entrepreneurs across Africa as demand for wheat-based products continues to expand on the continent.

The investment forms part of the company’s new “Baking Brighter Futures” initiative, which brings together its bakery training programmes across several African markets. Since 2019, more than 10,000 bakers have completed Agri-supported training programmes in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Cameroon, with women accounting for about half of participants.

Olam Agri expands bakery training across Africa

The company already operates dedicated baking academies in Nigeria and Ghana, while new facilities are being established in Cameroon, Senegal, and other African markets.

The programmes are designed to provide participants with technical and commercial skills covering baking techniques, product innovation, food safety and hygiene, business management, financial literacy, cost management, and marketing.

In Nigeria, the training programmes are certified by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board. In Ghana, Olam Agri works with the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service.

Ashish Pande, global wheat milling trade manager at Olam Agri, said growing demand for wheat-based foods across Africa is creating opportunities for bakers and food entrepreneurs throughout the value chain.

Women and young entrepreneurs targeted

Olam Agri said the initiative will expand access to skills development through partnerships with vocational institutions, schools, foundations, and community organisations.

Shailendra Mishra, global head of sustainability for human and animal food at Olam Agri, said the programme aims to support women and young entrepreneurs by improving access to technical and business skills.

One beneficiary cited by the company is Amina Tijani, who trained at Olam Agri’s Nigerian baking academy before becoming manager of Minex Bakery. The bakery is currently operating below demand and is planning an expansion, according to Olam Agri.

Cameroon academy to strengthen Olam’s footprint

In Cameroon, the planned baking academy will complement its existing wheat-processing operations. The company has operated a wheat mill in Bekoko, near Douala, since 2015.

The facility represents an investment of approximately 30 billion FCFA and has a processing capacity of 600 tonnes per day. It operates under the Bijou brand and forms part of Olam Agri’s broader food and agricultural business in Cameroon.

The group also distributes rice in the country under the Riz Mémé and Riz Bijou brands.

With its new $2 million commitment, Olam Agri aims to scale bakery skills development across African markets while strengthening the capabilities of entrepreneurs operating within the continent’s growing wheat and food-processing value chain.