[Startup Interview] Yassir Ali, CEO, Hasania Foods, Nigeria

[Startup Interview] Yassir Ali, CEO, Hasania Foods, Nigeria

Published: 04-06-2020 17:05:00 | By: Bob Koigi | hits: 12360 | Tags:

As more farmers in Africa make losses for exporting raw materials and failure to embrace value addition, Hasania Foods Ltd, a startup in Nigeria is addressing tackling the problem by adding value to a variety of agriculture products and introducing new ways of packaging foods.  Yassir Ali the founder and CEO of the startup explains the model, the challenges and the plans to expand to West Africa.

Introduce your company

Hasania Foods Ltd is a Nigeria-based agri-business company that sources, packages, distributes, export and market multiple products across Nigeria.

Who are the founders and what are their professional background?

The company was founded by Yassir Ali a serial entrepreneur. When founding Getklin an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning startup he saw a gap in the agricultural industry, most value added foods are imported which inspired this new venture.

How is your company financed?

Personal funds

What are – in your opinion – the dynamics shaping agriculture sector?

The industry is good, is always great to be adding value to people's life and change the archaic agricultural system that has been in Africa for decades

Why did you start Hasania Foods Ltd? What opportunities did you see?

I saw a gap in the agricultural industry, most value added foods are imported meanwhile we have a lot of raw materials right here in Africa, so there are problems in the agricultural sector that needs fixing and I believe that I can contribute towards providing some solutions.

What problem or problems does Hasania Foods Ltd solve?

Food efficiency, adding value to local food and local farmers.

Who are your customers?

Our primary customers are families that likes home cooked meals and kids, mostly primary school students. We also supply few products to individuals, hotels and restaurants.

What does your company need in order to grow?

Funds to expand a factory for manufacturing and distribution and recruit more competent managers.

Which other markets are you eyeing in your expansion plans?

Our aim is to be the number one food processing and distribution company in Nigeria and West Africa.

What are your plans for the coming 12 months?

Scaling and distributing more products

www.hasaniafoods.com

 

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