Adanne Uche, founder of Ady’s Agro Processing, promotes food safety and sustainability in Nigeria through preservative-free, locally sourced ingredients.
Adanne Uche, founder of Ady’s Agro Processing Limited, is tackling Nigeria’s food safety challenges by producing preservative-free, locally sourced cooking ingredients. By advancing both public health and agricultural sustainability through innovative agro-processing, Uche is advancing both public health and agricultural sustainability.
Based in Lagos, Ady’s Agro Processing specialises in producing palm oil, spices, seasoning blends, herbal teas, and gluten-free flours—all processed without additives and sourced directly from Nigerian farmers. The company’s mission is rooted in a broader effort to combat food adulteration and promote healthier cooking ingredients for families.
Uche holds a degree in foreign languages and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt. After the birth of her first child, she ventured into agro-processing, initially exploring other businesses before settling on food production—a field she was passionate about and personally invested in.
In 2017, with a ₦30,000 loan from her family, Uche launched Ady’s Food Mart, a grocery delivery service catering to working mothers and busy professionals. While the business allowed her entry into the food industry, it also exposed her to food safety concerns in Nigeria, particularly regarding adulterated staples such as palm oil.
This experience prompted her to pivot into agro-processing, creating safe, hygienic food products while addressing post-harvest losses and inadequate storage. Today, her company collaborates with local farmers to ensure the traceability and quality of its ingredients. The company’s offerings cater to a growing segment of health-conscious consumers, including those seeking vegan and gluten-free alternatives.
In 2021, the company received a £10,000 grant from the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) to support business expansion. The funding has helped Ady’s improve its production capacity and extend its reach to markets beyond Nigeria, including the UK and the US.
Ady’s client base now comprises home cooks, chefs, and Nigerian cuisine enthusiasts, reflecting the increasing demand for clean-label food products. The company also emphasises quality packaging to preserve freshness and appeal to contemporary consumers.
While Ady’s Agro Processing continues to scale, Adenne Uche focuses on local impact—supporting smallholder farmers, promoting food transparency, and encouraging better nutritional habits.
