Going vegan is big business, and as the world searches for plant-based diet solutions, more Black and African vegan influencers are springing up all over the diaspora.
Stay tuned for some inspiring African vegans who are guaranteed to get you drooling over delicious plant-based grub.
UK-based Helen knows how to showcase vegan Ethiopian everything – from coffee poured from a traditional jebena, to tons of amazing toppings for everyone’s favourite sour pancake, injera.
Her online store also stocks hand-sourced spice blends, teff flour for making injera, and even an e-book packed with fully plant-based and gluten-free Ethiopian recipes for just £3.
What’s not to love?
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A Hampshire-based vegan home cook and the last word in vegan entertaining, Nash may be of Zimbabwean heritage, but she makes it all – from hearty scones and cream to simple and delicious salads and… vegan ‘squid ink’ spaghetti! Plus, the presentation of her food is exemplary.
She shared her recipe for peanut butter greens with pan-African in time for Africa Day this year, so take a look and prepare for your tastebuds to be tickled. Deliciousness and simplicity in equal measure.
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Ghanaian PhD student Afia is based in Toronto, and whips up a storm with vegan African dishes from all over the Western regions from fufu, to jollof rice, and okra stew.
She offers advice and tips on how to prepare a number of dishes, from how to fry plantain perfectly to how to make kose (an accidentally-vegan Ghanaian spicy bean cake delicacy), and which spices you’ll need in your pantry.
And her moi-moi looks great.
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Personal trainer David Olu’s profile picture doesn’t give much away, but his Yoruba greeting welcomes you to a grid loaded with African vegan deliciousness.
He also likes to mix things up – preferring black kale to spinach in his egusi, and combining his jollof with some hummus – maybe you will too!
Plus, his egg-free chin chin looks super fun and simple to make.
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The South African Vegan Society focuses on outreach, resources, and support, so they are the perfect place to go for both new and seasoned vegans.
Spreading the word about Veganuary, and publicising local businesses is also on their social media agenda, so take a look if you’re vegan and down South Africa way.
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Tendai is a diabetes and weight-loss coach, so it’s no wonder she is an advocate of a plant-based diet.
Whole foods like mbambaira (sweet potato), Black rice pudding, and high-protein Zimbabwean mutakura (peanuts and beans) all feature, and could all help you improve your health.
So if you need advice on cutting out the bad stuff for African vegan fare, Tendai should be your go-to.
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Another Toronto-based African vegan on the rise, her East African and Eritrean catering business offers injera, spicy tofu, and lentil stew – all prepared from scratch.
She even rustles up some tasty-looking pasta if you have a hankering for vegan Italian food as well.
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Flying the Sierra Leonean flag proudly alongside the Union Jack is Liverpudlian African vegan food activist Betty Vandy.
She documents her adventures in Sierra Leone (where she is now based) and beyond, cook-alongs and her finds at various events, all with her unique and acerbic northern wit.
Give her podcast Plantain & Politics a listen on SoundCloud too!
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A proud African vegan, Zimbabwean Chef Cola has some big names up her chef’s sleeve, from a ProVeg International grant to a 2021 feature in Forbes Africa.
Focusing on veganism in southern Africa, she has even showcased her vegan chocolate cake and cheese boards to the BBC on Dinner with Chef Cola – yum!
She also has an eye for fashion – behold her eye-catching Zimbabwean print chef’s attire, featuring Victoria Falls and Matobo Hills together with Zim’s national colours.
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Bom dia! If you are in Brazil’s São Paulo, you might be familiar with Congolinaria, who serve up vegan Congolese fare, Brazilian style.
Acarajé bean and onion cakes with braised okra, coconut rice, meat-free black bean feijoada stew… the list goes on, and it looks beyond mouth-watering.
You can order their African vegan dishes on Uber Eats too if you live locally.
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Do you have a favourite African vegan influencer, or a favourite African vegan dish? Let us know in the comments.
