Teff, a tiny ancient grain native to Ethiopia, has been cultivated for over 4,000 years and is best known as the key ingredient in ‘injera’, a flat, spongy sourdough bread that is a staple in Ethiopian diets. This nutrient-packed superfood is not only gluten-free but also a rich source of iron, magnesium, calcium, and essential vitamins. Yonas is on a mission to share the incredible benefits of teff with the world and how Lovegrass Ethiopia is making a mark both locally and internationally.
What We Discuss With Yonas
• Returning to Ethiopia despite scepticism from his friends
• Forming relationships with farmers and investing in farms to guarantee a consistent, good-quality supply of Teff.
• How Yonas has managed to successfully export his products to the UK and other European markets.
• The challenges of building the factory in terms of financing, finding the right machinery, quality standards, and control.
• What key tips and advice would Yonas give to aspiring agriculture entrepreneurs in Africa?
Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Rethinking Economics and Impact for Music Festivals in Africa? (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1901592/15638254) Make sure to check it out!
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Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/terseradamu/) , and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu (https://twitter.com/TerserAdamu)
Connect with Yonas on LinkedIn at Yonas Ademassu Alemu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonas-ademassu-alemu-53b24ab/) , and Twitter (X) @thelovegrass (https://x.com/thelovegrass)
Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here (https://www.vertofx.com/About-Us/Resources/Whitepapers-and-Reports/overcoming-common-payment-bottlenecks/?utm_campaign=15447603-2025_06_nig_Verto%20Corner_Unlocking%20Africa&utm_source=unlocking%20africa%20podcast&utm_medium=whitepaper)