How startup UNIKORN SU is transforming Grain Milling into a Lifeline for Nutrition and Livelihoods in Burundi, Africa

Background & Challenge:

In 2020, UNIKORN S.U. emerged as a revitalised force in Burundi’s agri-food sector following the acquisition and restructuring of CEREALIS, a company originally established in 2013. Building on this foundation, UNIKORN set out with an ambitious vision: to produce nutritious, fortified grain-based foods for mass distribution, targeting schools, hospitals, prisons, and nutritional care centers.

The enterprise’s product portfolio includes:

• Enriched maize flour
• Fortified Whole Grain (FWG)
• Fortified porridge flour

Despite its early growth trajectory, UNIKORN faced critical challenges threatening its survival:

• Limited technical capacity in producing specialized flours like FWG
• Insufficient working capital for procuring diverse grains
• Inadequate packaging solutions, affecting product quality and shelf life
• Weak distribution networks and marketing capacity
• Inability to start production of FWG and instant porridge cereals

Strategic Response:

The turning point came with the partnership and support from GFIF (Global Food Innovation Fund)—an intervention that delivered technical expertise, access to finance and market access, laying a foundation for rapid transformation.

• Technical Empowerment: With guidance from GFIF experts, UNIKORN’s production team received critical training on grain milling technologies, particularly for fortified foods. This mentorship reshaped their approach, improved operational efficiency, and elevated product quality.
• Raw Material Security: GFIF’s financial support enabled the company to bulk-purchase key grain inputs, ensuring consistent production and uninterrupted supply to both commercial and institutional clients.
• Packaging Upgrade: The company procured high-quality packaging materials in sufficient quantities—strengthening supply chain reliability, reducing wastage, and meeting institutional buyer standards.
• Strengthening Market Presence: Investments from GFIF funded the acquisition of two branded marketing vehicles and the hiring of a dedicated sales team and a marketing manager. As a result, sales surged by over 400%, and UNIKORN cemented its market presence.

Product Diversification:

UNIKORN acquired an extruder for producing instant fortified porridge and successfully calibrated existing machinery for Fortified Whole Grain production—unlocking new product lines and expanding its reach.

Impact Outcome:

The transformation has been extraordinary:

• Business Stability & Market Penetration: UNIKORN has supplied its target markets without interruption for over two years, gaining the trust of NGOs, schools, and hospitals. The company’s credibility in Burundi’s food ecosystem has soared.
• Certification & Growth: Thanks to GFIF’s technical mentoring, UNIKORN obtained key industry certifications, opening doors for new partnerships and additional investments in machinery and capacity expansion.
• Employment & Livelihoods: Today, the company directly employs 50 factory workers and indirectly sustains over 100 jobs across the agricultural value chain—including farmers, transporters, and suppliers.
• Market Reach: UNIKORN estimates that its nutritious products now reach over 70,000 households and supply 40 to 50 schools. The company has also become a critical food supplier to refugees from the DRC crisis hosted in Burundi.
• Revenue Growth: UNIKORN’s turnover has quadrupled, providing a stable financial base for continued expansion.

Key Learnings:

• Food processing is a viable and impactful industry in Burundi. Like a child learning to walk, UNIKORN’s journey has shown that persistence and adaptability unlock business success.
• Technical expertise leads to lasting transformation in quality, efficiency, and competitiveness.
• Support from industry-specific actors like GFIF multiplies impact when businesses are ready to learn and evolve.
• Hiring and team development are essential. Higher operating standards demanded a more skilled and adaptable workforce—some team members rose to the challenge, while others transitioned out.

Voices and Testimonials:

Mahoro Ciella, Procurement Manager

“Working with GFIF raised the bar. Their audits and guidance improved everything—from procurement tools to quality compliance and reporting. We are now more organized and results-driven.”

Hakiwumwami Salvator, Technical Director

“Thanks to insights from GFIF, especially Mr. Johnes, we’ve discovered new dimensions in grain milling. Our team is now more confident and efficient in optimizing our machinery and processes.”

Inamahoro Charnella, Managing Director

“The impact of GFIF can hardly be overstated. They came at a defining moment—offering not just money, but belief, mentorship, and direction. Their partnership lit a path forward, and we’re deeply grateful.”

Conclusion:

UNIKORN S.U. is no longer just a grain milling company—it is a beacon of innovation, nutrition, and economic empowerment in Burundi. With the right partnerships and the will to evolve, local enterprises can create sustainable impact at scale. The UNIKORN story is a compelling case of how targeted support can turn a struggling business into a thriving social enterprise.

Call to Action:

If you are a startup in the Good Food and Nutrition space in Africa and would like to know more, please write to us at marketing@intellecap.net