Windhoek: Food safety consultancy Iyalago Food Assurance Consultants says it is aiming to expand beyond Namibia after securing ISO 9001 certification and building nearly a decade of experience supporting businesses in the food sector. Co-founder and CEO Ruth Martinez-Lago said the Walvis Bay-based company was established nine years ago after she and business partner Vera Iyambo were retrenched from their jobs.
According to Namibia Press Agency, speaking with Nampa at the ongoing 25th edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, Martinez-Lago said the pair identified a gap in the market for independent food safety and quality assurance specialists accessible to businesses of all sizes, including SMEs. 'We opted to start something of our own where our expertise would be accessible to everyone in the country, in Africa and in the world,' she said.
The company provides food safety and quality assurance consulting services, as well as in-person and online training programmes aimed at helping food producers comply with industry standards and certification requirements. Martinez-Lago said the firm also offers subsidised food safety compliance training to SMEs, particularly start-up businesses seeking guidance on how to access retail markets and meet food safety requirements.
From an initial start following retrenchment, the company has grown to employ eight graduates, some of whom were given their first opportunity to work in the industry. She noted that one of the key lessons learned as an entrepreneur was that success requires resilience and the ability to demonstrate value to potential partners and supporters. 'You have to prove that you are capable of doing what you are doing, and you also have to show that you can contribute,' she said.
Looking ahead, Martinez-Lago said the company intends to expand its footprint internationally by replicating its business model in other countries. She added that the recently obtained ISO 9001 certification strengthens the firm's credibility and supports its long-term growth ambitions. Martinez-Lago further encouraged women to pursue entrepreneurship, noting there is room in the market for more female-owned businesses and urged aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of available support networks and mentorship opportunities.