Kenyan Woman Who Built East Africa’s Largest Chilli Processing Business Despite Family Opposition

Margaret Komen is the Kenyan entrepreneur behind Mace Foods, an Eldoret-based agribusiness that has grown into one of East Africa’s major chilli processors and exporters. Despite facing opposition from family members when she started, Komen pursued her vision and built a business supplying spices and vegetables to international markets.

Komen, popularly known as Maggie, studied food technology at university before securing employment in a laboratory. However, she soon realised that performing repetitive tasks every day did not suit her personality.

She eventually quit her job and travelled to Germany to attend a trade fair, where she identified an opportunity in agribusiness. Inspired by the potential of chillies, she returned to Kenya and established Mace Foods.

Her decision was met with resistance from some family members who questioned why she wanted to venture into chilli farming and processing instead of pursuing conventional employment.

In an interview with Agri Innovation Hub, Maggie recalled how her aunties encouraged her to abandon the project and consider another business. Nevertheless, she remained committed to her vision, and Mace Foods has since grown into an established processor with an international market.

Building the business was not easy. Based in Eldoret, Komen struggled to access essential services, including packaging, product design and technical expertise, which were largely concentrated in Nairobi.

She also faced difficulties securing financing, as many financial institutions considered agribusiness a risky investment. For years, she relied on personal savings, family contributions and angel investors before securing a significant investor in 2021.

Today, Mace Foods operates two processing lines, producing 12 chilli products alongside African leafy vegetables. Exports account for approximately 70% of its business.

The company supplies chillies to pharmaceutical industries in South Korea and Spain, as well as food markets in Italy and Germany. Its vegetables reach consumers in the United States, particularly Kenyans living abroad.Locally, Mace Foods products are available at Naivas and Chandarana supermarkets.

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Komen encourages young people to pursue technical education and identify specialised opportunities in manufacturing and value addition.

Her story demonstrates how determination and innovation can transform an overlooked agricultural product into a thriving international business.

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