Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS)

What Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) does

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) is a World Bank-funded research and graduate-training centre hosted at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Nigeria, established under the Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) Impact Programme. ACEMFS runs three postgraduate programmes — M.Tech/Ph.D in Food Safety, M.Tech/Ph.D in Toxicology, and M.Tech/Ph.D in Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics — together with short courses and sensitization programmes, and has cumulatively trained more than 4,200 graduate students while publishing 150+ peer-reviewed works in collaboration with 25+ partner institutions.

The centre's technology platform is anchored in advanced analytical instrumentation housed across five research laboratories: LC/MS/MS for comprehensive mycotoxin quantification (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin), HPLC systems (Thermo Scientific Dionex UltiMate 3000), GC-MS for pesticide and contaminant analysis, Thermo Fisher iCAP PRO ICP-OES for heavy metal detection, and Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 real-time PCR systems for pathogen detection and genomics, plus supporting sample-preparation equipment from MilliporeSigma, Bioevopeak, and BIOBASE. Research outputs extend beyond wet-lab analysis into predictive mathematical models for mycotoxin early warning, portable field-deployable detection systems, and biocontrol technologies using fungi antagonists and plant-derived biopesticides. ACEMFS operates Student and Staff Portals with AI-assisted research and reporting tools, and aligns its analytical methods with FAO/WHO international standards.

Commercially, ACEMFS monetizes through multiple streams: (i) sustained World Bank ACE Impact grant funding for infrastructure, scholarships, and operations; (ii) postgraduate tuition and a ₦20,000 application fee for M.Tech and Ph.D admissions; (iii) fee-for-service analytical testing marketed to food industries, researchers, and government regulatory agencies through wholly-owned subsidiary ACEMFS Consult Limited, which serves 10+ African countries across West and Central Africa; and (iv) consultancy and capacity-building contracts with food-industry clients and government bodies. Governance is provided by an International Scientific Advisory Board chaired by Prof. Sarah de Saeger (Ghent University) and including named experts from the University of Nairobi, University of Johannesburg, IITA, and Florida A&M University; ACEMFS leadership also holds seats on the African Union Expert Committee on Contaminants in Food and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Contaminants in Food.

Name

Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS)

Legal name

Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS)

Website

https://acemfs.futminna.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) is a World Bank-funded research and postgraduate training centre at FUTMINNA, Nigeria, delivering M.Tech/Ph.D programmes in food safety, toxicology, and molecular biology, and operating ACEMFS Consult Limited to provide fee-for-service mycotoxin and food-contaminant laboratory services across 10+ African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Safety Research & Education Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFALADAA

Regulatory Compliance Testing (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Regulatory Compliance Testing & Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA, HACCP)

SECONDARYAFALAAAN

Food Safety Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, Preventive Controls)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

SECONDARYAFALADAC

Regulatory Consulting & Compliance Program Management (FDA/USDA/EFSA)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Regulatory Compliance Testing & Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA, HACCP)

SECONDARYHLAJAEAF

Food Testing, Laboratory Oversight & Method Standards

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Food Safety & Nutrition Regulatory Authorities

Keywords

• Mycotoxin analysis
• Food safety research
• Analytical laboratory services
• Postgraduate food safety
• Molecular biology education

Headquarters

HQ city

Minna

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. World Bank ACE Impact Funding: Sustained funding from the World Bank ACE Impact Programme supporting research infrastructure, international collaborations, scholarships, and operational costs
2. Laboratory Analytical Services: Fee-for-service laboratory testing including mycotoxin analysis, food contaminant testing, molecular biology services, and chromatographic analysis offered to researchers, industries, and government agencies
3. Academic Programme Fees: Application fees (₦20,000) and tuition for M.Tech and Ph.D programmes in Food Safety, Toxicology, and Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics
4. Training and Capacity Building: Short courses, sensitization programs, and professional training services for researchers and industry professionals
5. Consultancy Services: Expert consultancy for food industries and regulatory bodies on food safety, mycotoxin control, and compliance

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACEMFS runs postgraduate M.Tech and Ph.D programmes in Food Safety, Toxicology, and Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics at FUTMINNA, and through ACEMFS Consult Limited delivers fee-based analytical laboratory services (mycotoxin detection via LC/MS/MS, HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-OES; real-time PCR pathogen detection; food contaminant and pesticide residue testing) to researchers, food industries, and government agencies across West and Central Africa. It also conducts regional surveillance, biocontrol research, and provides consultancies and capacity-building training aligned with FAO/WHO analytical standards.

Product overview

ACEMFS offers a unified portfolio centered on graduate education and research services. Its core offerings comprise three postgraduate degree programmes (M.Tech/Ph.D Food Safety, Toxicology, and Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics) delivered at the Federal University of Technology Minna, alongside ACEMFS Consult Limited providing fee-based analytical laboratory services to external researchers, industry, and government agencies. The centre also operates web-based Student and Staff Portals for academic management. These products collectively address food safety challenges across Africa through training, research, and commercial testing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.Tech/Ph.D Food Safety Programme Full-time postgraduate degree programme (M.Tech/Ph.D) delivering advanced training in food safety management, mycotoxin control, exposure and risk assessment, and analytical methods, designed for African graduate researchers and industry professionals.
• M.Tech/Ph.D Toxicology Programme Full-time postgraduate programme (M.Tech/Ph.D) covering toxic substances, environmental toxicology, analytical methods, and risk assessment, training future leaders in toxicological sciences and public health protection.
• M.Tech/Ph.D Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics Programme Full-time postgraduate programme (M.Tech/Ph.D) providing training in molecular biology techniques, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics tools, and computational biology to address African agricultural and public-health challenges.
• ACEMFS Consult Limited Laboratory Services Fee-based analytical and molecular biology services delivered to external clients using 27+ instruments across 5 laboratories. Offerings include mycotoxin detection and quantification (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin via LC/MS/MS, HPLC, GC-MS), food safety and contaminant analysis (pesticides, heavy metals, veterinary drugs, ICP-OES), molecular biology (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, real-time PCR), microbiological analysis, sample preparation (freeze-drying, homogenisation), training/capacity building, and consultancy for food industries and regulatory bodies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4200+ graduate students trained
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• African Union Expert Committee on Contaminants in FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACEMFS Centre Leader Prof. H.A. Makun serves as member of the African Union Expert Committee on Contaminants in Food, providing technical expertise and policy guidance at continental level.
• Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Contaminants in FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. H.A. Makun served on the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Contaminants in Food from 2012-2016, contributing to international food safety standards development.
• International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistinguished international experts including Prof. Sarah de Saeger (Ghent University), Prof. Sheila Okoth (University of Nairobi), Prof. Patrick Njobeh (University of Johannesburg), Prof. Odemari Stephen Mbuya (Florida A&M University), and other global experts providing strategic guidance and oversight.
• National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CGEB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACEMFS leverages research infrastructure available at CGEB to train skilled workforce and conduct advanced biotechnology research.
• Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides entrepreneurship training programmes and intellectual property support for ACEMFS researchers and students.
• Ghent University, BelgiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Sarah de Saeger from Ghent University serves as ISAB Chair, bringing expertise in mycotoxin analysis and food contaminants.
• University of Nairobi, KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Sheila Okoth provides expertise in mycology, food safety, plant pathology, and aflatoxin research through the ISAB.
• University of Johannesburg, South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Patrick Njobeh contributes expertise in food toxicology, mycotoxin mitigation, and food environment and health through the ISAB.
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gbemenou Joselin Benoit Gnonlonfin serves on ISAB, bringing expertise in mycotoxin research, food safety policy, and tropical agriculture.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEquipment manufacturer supplying advanced analytical instruments including ICP OES systems, HPLC, GC-MS, and other laboratory equipment to ACEMFS laboratories.
• Applied Biosystems (Thermo Fisher)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of molecular biology equipment including thermal cyclers and real-time PCR systems for genomics research.
• MilliporeSigmasupportingTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of laboratory equipment including water purification systems and other analytical instruments.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acemfs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS)