Food manufacturing remains one of Africa’s most strategic industries, driving job creation, industrialization, and food security. From staples such as sugar and flour to dairy, oils, and packaged foods, the continent’s largest food companies are led by executives who are scaling production, modernizing supply chains, and building global competitiveness. In 2025, these five CEOs stand out as leaders shaping Africa’s food industry.
1. Aliko Dangote – Founder and Group Chief Executive, Dangote Group (Nigeria)
Aliko Dangote is Africa’s most recognized industrialist and the driving force behind the Dangote Group. Under his leadership, the group has expanded its food manufacturing arm across sugar refining, flour milling, salt, and edible oils. Dangote has positioned the group as one of the largest food producers on the continent, supplying millions of households and linking African agriculture with large-scale industrial processing. His leadership continues to demonstrate how local manufacturing can compete on a global scale.
2. Tjaart Kruger – Chief Executive Officer, Tiger Brands (South Africa)
Tjaart Kruger took over as CEO of Tiger Brands in November 2023, leading South Africa’s largest packaged food company. With a portfolio that spans staples, snacks, spreads, and baked goods, Tiger Brands remains one of the most recognizable names on the continent. Kruger has been tasked with modernizing operations, restoring profitability, and driving innovation in response to evolving consumer demands. His role places him at the center of one of Africa’s most influential food manufacturers.
3. Kobus Gertenbach – Chief Executive Officer, Premier FMCG (South Africa)
Kobus Gertenbach heads Premier FMCG, one of South Africa’s most dynamic food manufacturers. The company operates across bakery, cereals, biscuits, and cooking oils, supplying major retail chains across Southern Africa. Gertenbach has overseen growth and efficiency efforts that strengthened Premier’s position as a trusted household brand. His leadership emphasizes both product quality and operational scale, making Premier a key player in Africa’s fast-moving consumer goods landscape.
4. Seif El-Din Safwan Thabet – Chief Executive Officer, Juhayna Food Industries (Egypt)
Seif Thabet leads Juhayna Food Industries, Egypt’s leading dairy and beverage producer. With integrated production and distribution networks, Juhayna has become one of North Africa’s largest food processors. Thabet has steered the company through a changing market, ensuring its products remain accessible to millions of households while maintaining quality and efficiency. His leadership reflects how Egypt continues to be a powerhouse in food and beverage manufacturing.
5. Vimal Shah – Co-Founder and Chairman, Bidco Africa (Kenya)
Vimal Shah co-founded Bidco Africa and continues to serve as its chairman and leading executive voice. Bidco is East Africa’s largest manufacturer of edible oils, fats, margarine, and fast-moving food goods, with a strong presence in multiple African markets. Though he now serves primarily as chairman, Shah remains the public face of Bidco’s strategy and growth. His vision has made Bidco a dominant name in East Africa’s food manufacturing sector, with ambitions to expand even further across the continent.
These five leaders illustrate the diversity and scale of Africa’s food manufacturing sector. From Dangote’s expansive conglomerate in West Africa to Juhayna’s dairy expertise in North Africa, Tiger Brands and Premier’s packaged goods in the South, and Bidco’s edible oils in East Africa, they represent a continent feeding itself through industrial strength. Their combined impact underscores Africa’s capacity to build competitive, world-class food industries led by homegrown talent and vision.
Methodology
This list was curated by examining food manufacturers across Africa with verified leadership at the CEO or top executive level. Selection emphasized companies engaged in large-scale food production and processing, with confirmed executive roles as of September 2025. Verification was based on official company leadership pages, corporate filings, and credible business media reporting.
