It starts with a plate, a taste of jollof, suya, or bobotie. Across Africa, food carries identity and connection. Now, a new wave of entrepreneurs is turning these flavors into thriving restaurants and global culinary experiences.
These entrepreneurs are elevating African cuisine through fine dining, fast-casual chains, and fusion concepts, creating spaces where culture, creativity, and community meet.
Here are Top 5 Restaurant Founders in Africa.
– Siba Mtongana (South Africa): Celebrity chef and founder of SIBA The Restaurant in Cape Town, she brings African-inspired fine dining to the global culinary stage.
– Iquo Ukoh (Nigeria): A former Nestlé exec turned foodpreneur, she runs a growing chain of Nigerian restaurants that showcase traditional dishes with modern flair.
– Coco Reinarhz (Burundi): Known for Epicure and Sel et Poivre in Johannesburg, he creates elegant menus that highlight African ingredients in classic French styles.
– Mame Sosseh Gomez (Gambia): Founder of The Butcher’s Shop in Banjul, she offers premium steaks, burgers, and African comfort food with top-tier service.
– Alexander Smalls (Sierra Leone): Co-founder of The Cecil and Minton’s in New York, he fuses West African, Southern, and global flavors into Michelin-worthy dining.
Africa’s culinary leaders are not just feeding mouths, they’re feeding pride, memory, and imagination, one plate at a time.
