Nwando Ajene is a marketing specialist based in Chicago. She is launching AACE Foods with her Nigerian partner Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of African Alliance for Capital Expansion.

The African Diaspora Marketplace contest recently awarded $50,000 to $100,000 to 14 immigrants to the United States from African countries to help them start or expand businesses in Africa.

The logo for AACE Foods.

We here at AACE Foods are delighted to have a $100,000 grant. We are using the money for the purchase of equipment to manufacture jams, spreads, baby foods, and spices. Our immediate machinery needs consist of storage bins, washing facilities, fruit crushing and processing equipment, packaging machines as well as a back-up power generator.

We anticipate that we will begin production of jams and spreads in April, becoming the first Nigerian company to produce such products. We have established contacts with hotels, restaurants and supermarkets as buyers. Our jams will be made from mangos, papayas, guavas, cashews, and pineapples; our spreads from honey and peanuts. Our line of baby foods will consist of soya, carrots, sweet potatoes, guava and mangos. Our main spice will be hot peppers.

We expect to be able to displace a large portion of similar imported products. In time, we plan to expand distribution of AACE Food products throughout West Africa.