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Ehime Eigbe, a visionary Nigerian-American entrepreneur, is transforming the yogurt industry with her innovative brand, Sweetkiwi. Armed with a degree in Business Information Technology and International Studies from London Metropolitan University, certifications in cultured dairy and ice cream production from Penn State University, and a wealth of entrepreneurial knowledge, Ehime has built Sweetkiwi as a brand that champions healthy living through low-calorie, nutrient-packed yogurt. She’s also a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women scholar, a Visa & IFund Women Black Woman Owned Business Grant recipient, and one of Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspiring Women. Alongside her business accomplishments, Ehime actively empowers women by providing training and creating jobs in her community.

The Birth of Sweetkiwi

Ehime’s journey to founding Sweetkiwi began with a personal health struggle. At 22, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and faced the possibility of surgery. Determined to explore holistic alternatives, she transformed her diet, a decision that ultimately inspired her to create Sweetkiwi in 2011. Dissatisfied with the health claims of other yogurt brands, Ehime developed a clean-label recipe for her yogurt, ensuring it was genuinely nutritious and delicious. She launched Sweetkiwi in Nigeria, where it quickly grew in popularity, leading her to open three stores.

Expanding Sweetkiwi and Forging Brand Partnerships

Ehime’s dedication to quality and health led to Sweetkiwi’s expansion, including collaborations with high-profile brands such as Moët & Chandon, Pepsi, Guinness, and Baileys. In 2017, after moving to Washington, DC, Ehime joined the Union Kitchen food accelerator to bring Sweetkiwi to U.S. grocery shelves. Recently, Sweetkiwi’s whipped Greek yogurt became available in Whole Foods Market, marking a major milestone in its U.S. growth.

Ehime Eigbe
Ehime Eigbe, Founder, Sweetkiwi Yoghurt.     Photo: LinkedIn

Sweetkiwi is now in Target

The latest chapter in Sweetkiwi’s success story is its launch in select Target stores across Southern California, expanding its reach to a broader audience. Announcing the launch on LinkedIn, Ehime shared her joy: “Sweetkiwi officially launched three of our amazing flavors—Lemon Blueberry, Raspberry Frosé, and Cookies & Cream—in select Target stores across Southern California.” She acknowledged her team and partners who have supported the brand’s mission and encouraged her followers to celebrate the accomplishment by filling up their carts with Sweetkiwi yogurt.

Building a Brand with a Purpose

Ehime’s vision for Sweetkiwi is rooted in health and wellness, specifically the belief that “all disease starts in the gut.” Her goal is to harness the power of nutritious ingredients to support better gut health and overall well-being. Her brand’s journey reflects this dedication, as Sweetkiwi continues to bring purposeful, clean-label treats to consumers.

Championing Women’s Empowerment

Alongside her entrepreneurial achievements, Ehime remains passionate about supporting women in her community. Through job creation, mentorship, and training, she strives to foster opportunities for women to grow and thrive in their own careers. Her mission-driven approach to business and community engagement has made her a role model, inspiring others to pursue their dreams while uplifting those around them.

With Sweetkiwi now available at Target, Ehime Eigbe’s journey exemplifies how purpose, passion, and perseverance can turn a personal mission into a thriving brand.

Ehime Eigbe Akindele is the founder of Sweetkiwi, a frozen yoghurt company, a go-to location for frozen yoghurt in Nigeria.

Ehime was visiting Nigeria from her station in Texas and needed to get frozen yoghurt. Unfortunately, there were no stores selling the product in the country.

That gave her a lightbulb moment: she decided to quit her job as a Bankruptcy Specialist at Citi Group, to start a frozen yoghurt company in Nigeria. That’s how Sweetkiwi was born.

She started off hosting a free tasting event and the reception was more than she expected. People were interested, and from then on, even before she began her plan to get a store and sell her products, she was receiving contracts to cater to events.

Her business began, and soon she opened her flagship store in Lekki, Lagos and then another, and then in 2018, launched its product offering in the US.

Her business started in 2011 and in 2014, the brand got its space to create the unique experience it intends to give customers.

Ehime is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women scholar and holds a degree in Business Information Technology and International Studies from London Metropolitan University.

She also completed the Entrepreneur Management programme at the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan African University, Lagos and has certifications in restaurant management and dessert manufacturing.

Ehime is building two more brands – Beet Root and Činggis Mongolian Grill – to join SweetKiwi as part of her Your Way Foods.

Your Way Foods is “an International group of healthy food brands made with the best natural ingredients. We operate leading brands in the rapidly growing healthy-foods space, offering consumers great experiences with unique, innovative and fresh product offerings,” it says on its website.

Ehime is looking to kickstart her franchise program to grow the brand into other parts of Nigeria and the rest of Africa and we’re rooting for her!