Margaret Komen’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 when she attended the Anuga food and beverage trade fair in Cologne, Germany. At the time, she was interning at a spice factory in Germany, having completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition. While exploring the fair, Komen noticed a significant demand for chillies since European imports from India had been halted due to safety concerns.
Recognising this opportunity, she established Mace Foods Ltd in 2002 in Eldoret, Kenya, focusing on producing and processing dried chillies for domestic and international markets.
Initially, she borrowed KSh 20,000($154.56) from her father to cover registration fees and purchase a small milling machine. Subsequently, the need for additional capital became urgent, and her host family in Germany invested KSh1 million ($7,722.01) into the fledgling company. This investment enabled Margaret Komen to collaborate with small-scale farmers, leveraging Kenya’s abundant agricultural land to cultivate high-quality chillies.
Her company operates in a competitive global spices and seasonings market, contending with industry giants such as McCormick & Company, Olam International, Ajinomoto Co., Associated British Foods, and Kerry Group.
Most multinational corporations often source raw materials from Africa, leveraging extensive resources and established supply chains. Despite the formidable presence of these global giants, Mace Foods distinguishes itself through several strategic and innovative strategies.
They have developed a robust and community-centric approach to sourcing ingredients for the company’s products. Central to this strategy is the collaboration with over 10,000 smallholder farmers across Kenya, with a significant emphasis on empowering women and youth, who constitute 48% of these farmers. This partnership ensures a steady supply of high-quality raw materials and fosters sustainable livelihoods within these communities.
To maintain the quality and consistency of its produce, Mace Foods has established three Aggregation, Training, and Grading centres. These centres serve as pivotal hubs where farmers receive training on best agricultural practices, engage in value-addition processes, and have their produce graded to meet local and international standards.
They have successfully trained and certified over 2000 smallholder farmers. The hands-on training encompasses modern farming techniques, post-harvest handling, and quality control measures, ensuring that the ingredients sourced are of premium quality.
As a World Fair Trade Organisation-certified company, Mace Foods upholds stringent ethical standards, ensuring that producers receive equitable compensation. This commitment to fair trade resonates with consumers who prioritise ethically sourced products.
Mace Foods has secured investments totalling $478,000, with significant contributions from entities such as Kenya Climate Ventures.
The businesswoman’s relentless pursuit of excellence has positioned Mace Foods as a leading European market for premium-grade African Bird’s Eye chillies. While other global giants source raw materials from Africa with no additional value, Mace Foods stands out. They work hard to retain value within Africa by processing, packaging, and exporting finished products rather than just raw ingredients.
Margaret Komen joins a list of innovative Kenyans positioning the East African country in the global spice market.
