GB Foods Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation in Africa

GB Foods Africa, a leading culinary and global manufacturing company, celebrated its 50th anniversary grand event in Lagos. The event, themed “Cooking Together: A Delicious Future for Nigeria and Africa,” brought together government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders to celebrate the company’s past achievements and discuss its vision for the future.

GB Foods’ journey in Africa began in 1973 when the company established its first factory in Nigeria. Today, GB Foods has operations in 38 African countries and employs over 5,000 people. The company produces a wide range of food products, including mayonnaise, tomato paste, bouillon cubes, and pasta.

Mr. Vicenç Bosch, CEO of GB Foods Africa, highlighted the company’s commitment to Africa and its people. He said, “GB Foods is not just about business, it is about impact. Our roots are grounded within the communities we serve – creating jobs, fostering growth, and uplifting lives. Furthermore, despite all our successes, this is only the beginning of the next fifty years. When the next generation celebrates our 100^th anniversary in Africa, they will talk about what we did, and more importantly how we made it.”

 “GB Foods is in Africa. We believe that growth is not a goal, but a means to provide the right returns to our shareholders and the communities we operate in. This is only the beginning of our doubling down on our sustainability agenda and our commitment to producing delicious, affordable, and healthy foods attuned to local tastes. Most importantly, this is only the beginning of us leveraging backwards integration to expand local agriculture and industrial ecosystems to create more jobs in Africa. We believe that by doing the right thing, we can make a difference.”He continued.

The exclusive anniversary event was well attended by eminent personalities, government officials, and industry leaders including H.E. Juan Ignacio Sell, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria; Mr Kamar Bakrin, CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC); Ms Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Mr Bolu Owotomo, Commissioner for Agriculture, Ogun State; and Dr Mustapha Ayo Popoola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, amongst others.

“GB Foods has been investing in Africa for 50 years, and we are proud of the role we have played in helping to develop the continent’s food industry”, said Mr Vincent Egbe, Managing Director of GB Foods Nigeria in his opening remarks. “When GB Foods first came to Africa 50 years ago, we had a simple vision: to provide high-quality, affordable food to African consumers. We also knew that we could not achieve this vision alone. Over the past 50 years, we have worked with our partners to build a strong and vibrant food industry in Africa. We are committed to continuing to invest in Africa and to working with our partners to create a sustainable food system for the continent. We believe that Africa’s food industry has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and development.”

During the event, GB Foods officially announced the launch of new 3.2L jars for the Bama and Jago mayonnaise brands. These new jars are designed to meet the needs of African consumers, who often buy food in bulk. They are also more affordable than smaller jars, making them a more accessible option for low-income families. In addition, Vicenç Bosch announced that in 2024, GB Foods will begin the transformation of their factories in Nigeria into solar power, the first for the company.

H.E. Juan Ignacio Sell, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, delivered a heartfelt goodwill message to the company. He said, “GB Foods leads the way in long-term commitment to transparent dialogue with the authorities, in social responsibility with local communities, and in excellence in every aspect of what they do. Today we are celebrating a fifty-year record in Africa that proves it. GB Foods embodies what is best to show our brand as a nation. Congratulations to the GB Foods family for their success story born out of determination, foresight, competence, and commitment.”

GB Foods is committed to investing in Africa and to working with its partners to create a sustainable food ecosystem for the continent. The company has several initiatives in place to support food security, including sourcing raw materials locally to support African farmers and rural communities, investing in research and development to develop new products that meet the needs of African consumers, and providing nutrition education to consumers through its products and marketing campaigns. This mission was well encapsulated during the event which showcased GB Foods’ operations throughout five decades and in its priorities for the journey ahead.

The event concluded with a gala dinner, where guests enjoyed a variety of dishes made with GB Foods products and entertainment from Nigerian artists. As GB Foods celebrates its 50th anniversary, a milestone achievement, the company reiterated its commitment to continuing to invest in Africa and to working with its partners to create a delicious future for the continent.