Fatou Diallo on Teranga Foods

Fatou Diallo does not do many interviews. When we met in Dakar, the conversation ran long past the hour we had been promised — and ranged from the economics of Teranga Foods to the habits that keep a founder sane.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

How do you build one brand across eleven countries?

One recipe, local packaging, and distributors we treat like partners rather than customers.

What is the hardest trade-off you make?

Growth versus quality. We choose quality, and growth follows more slowly.

What would you tell your younger self?

Slow down on hiring, speed up on firing, and never confuse a busy calendar with a good week.