ABOUT SAMAKING
Ensuring a healthy and environmentally sustainable diet for 2.4 billion people (2050) in Africa is a critical challenge facing food systems. To achieve improved health and prosperity, there must be an increase in agricultural intensification. The required dietary protein can come from plant-based sources, but only as agricultural systems and cultural preferences allow. There is a pragmatic reality that people will continue to eat animal-based protein, and aquaculture is the most sustainable approach in terms of carbon footprint and food conversion ratio. Wild fisheries are not keeping up with demand, so aquaculture systems are necessary.
Samaking is an early-stage venture whose mission is to make fish the #1 protein on African plates by making it accessible and affordable. The current fish distribution system is fragmented and inefficient, with fish being less accessible than other proteins like beef and chicken, especially in numerous towns and neighborhoods. Existing distribution channels, predominantly informal and led by informal traders a.k.a 'mama samakis', raise health and safety concerns, such as the prolonged use of recycled cooking oil and unreliable availability.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As the Co-Founder of tech-enabled Food innovation targeting Africa, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our company and ensuring its growth and sustainability. You will be responsible for building strategic partnerships, developing and executing business strategies, and overseeing the operational aspects of the venture. Your expertise in African market dynamics and the food and ag space will be instrumental in driving our mission to make fish the #1 protein of choice on African plates.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations:
- Oversee the organization's day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
- Implement robust operational systems, processes, and policies to support the organization’s mission and improve operational management.
- Manage cross-functional teams across different locations, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and health and safety standards.
Business Development and Partnerships:
- Identify, negotiate, and secure strategic partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, private sector players, and research institutions to advance food innovation initiatives.
- Drive market analysis and research activities to identify new opportunities for innovation and expansion.
- Develop and implement scalable business models that align with the organization's goals and market needs.
- Foster an innovation ecosystem by collaborating with food scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs across the continent.
Strategic Leadership:
- Set the organization's strategic direction, aligning short-term activities with long-term objectives.
- Lead from the front, demonstrating a passion for food innovation and a commitment to creating sustainable impact.
- Engaging with key stakeholders, including the community, industry leaders, and policymakers, can promote the organization's vision and goals.
- Inspire and mentor a diverse team, fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, and professional growth.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Preferred ~ 10 years of professional experience and or startup experience.
- Proven leadership track record in building successful ventures or leading business units.
- Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the African business environment.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with experience in early-stage startups or innovation-driven environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, drive business growth, and achieve financial targets.
- Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in English (knowledge of local languages is a plus).
- Strong network and relationships in Africa.
- Experience in securing funding, managing investor relations, and navigating fundraising processes.
What we have done so far:
- Raised angel round in 2024
- Extensive primary and secondary research.
- Ran a pilot in Q4 2023.
- Now, we are building the business. We are already selling $$.
- Unique insights on the market and opportunity space.
- We are raising Pre-seed extension in Q1 2025 ( Seed in Q1 2026)
- Lean team, getting things done.