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BRAND LEGENDS

Indomie’s journey from ‘worms’ to being a brand superstar

By our News Team | 2023

Jollof rice, yam and pepper soup are traditionally on the menu in Nigeria. How, then, did an Asian noodle become a much-loved brand?

Indomie Noodles has been part of Nigerian culture for more than 30 years and the brand continues to dominate the market – so much so that, in 2017, manufacturer De United bought rival product Dangote Noodles for just over US$12-million, consolidating its hold on the sector. 

Dufil Prima Foods, part of the Singapore-based Tolaram Group, first had the counterintuitive idea of importing instant noodles to a country that had never tasted them before. The Indonesian product, made by Indofoods, was one of several introduced to the country by Toleram’s CEO, Sajan Aswani.

Brand Legends

Photo credit: Indomie via Facebook

Aswani’s view was that food, textiles and building materials would always be in demand – but it was the humble noodle that proved most popular. The taste appealed to Nigerians, as did the price – a single-serving packet of noodles sold for just 10 US cents in 1988 (today, it retails for less than 20 US cents a packet).  

Aswani has spoken about the ‘three As’ that drove his original marketing campaign – that the noodles be Affordable, Acceptable from a taste perspective, and always Available. Remarkably, consumers initially resisted the ready snack, saying noodles resembled worms. 

It took dogged persistence, which included regular customer engagement, to deliver the message that noodles are a quick, healthy alternative to other forms of carbohydrates. Considering Toleram brought only a few crates of noodles into the country to test the market, the brand’s success is arguably nothing short of astronomical.  

Brand’s commitment to young people

In 2008, Toleram introduced what has become an annual event during the month of Nigeria’s independence – the Indomie Heroes of Nigerian Independence awards – which offers cash prizes to Nigerian children under 15 who have overcome obstacles in life. Now part of the brand’s corporate social investment, the initiative reinforces Toleram’s commitment to the wellbeing of young people. 

The company’s marketing activities largely target schools, says Sidney Ogodo, head of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), which is a founder member of the African Marketing Confederation. “This helps to foster children’s emotional bond with the brand,” he explains. 

The brand penetrates the school environment with the Indomie Fan Club, which has branches in more than 3 000 primary schools and over 100 000 members across Nigeria. To counteract perceptions that it is merely paying lip service to children’s wellbeing, Toleram has partnered with the Federal Road Safety Commission to update members of the Indomie Fan Club with road safety tips. 

Through these measures, Toleram has aimed to alleviate concerns about quality control while living up to its brand promise – to be a trustworthy partner to Nigerian mothers. 

You will find this story, and much more, in Issue 4 2022, which remains current until late March 2023. Strategic Marketing for Africa is the voice of African marketing and the official publication of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC). It is available quarterly in Digital and Print editions.

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Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.