Little Baobab, London's only dedicated Senegalese restaurant, is racing to secure a permanent home after the sudden closure of the south London cultural centre where it was based. The business, which also offers free cooking lessons and training for young people, is seeking to raise £50,000 within two weeks to fund a move.
The eatery operated from the Africa Centre in Southwark until July, when the organisation shut its doors citing financial pressures. Founder Khadim Mane has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to save the business and establish its first permanent base after years as a pop-up venture.
Fundraising for a new kitchen
The money raised would help pay for an open kitchen, equipment and furniture, allowing Little Baobab to continue serving traditional Senegalese cuisine while expanding its community work. Any cash raised will also go towards other pre-opening expenses such as a rent deposit and legal fees.
Mr Mane said he is determined to keep Little Baobab going, noting it has served as an important community hub for the diaspora connected to Senegal and Africa. He said: “Little Baobab is Little Baobab anywhere we go, we can make it happen and I’m not going to give it up.”
“It’s not just about food or about making a lot of cash, this is for the community and the community vibes are really strong,” he added. “It’s like being in your living room with your friends, that’s what I’m trying to do. It’s about being with your friends, having a good time, eating your food and listening to your music.”
Training and heritage
Mr Mane also established a chef-training programme for people aged 18-30 who want to learn about hospitality, working in kitchens and West African cuisine. The course is free of charge and combines theory and practice. The business owner said some of the young people have gone on to work in his restaurant as kitchen porters, chefs and front of house staff.
Mr Mane chose the name Little Baobab because of childhood memories of visiting his father's village, which was full of baobab trees. “It was the perfect name, the baobab is a really spiritual tree. Sometimes in the middle of the village you’ve got a big one where people gather round and they just eat, dance and play,” he said.
From pop-ups to permanent
Little Baobab began with pop-ups featuring live music in east London a decade ago, before turning into a street food stall at Peckham Levels and more recently a 35-seat restaurant at the Africa Centre. The restaurant serves authentic Senegalese dishes including Thiebou Dienne, Yassa and Mafe. It won the African Food Award at the Be Inclusive Hospitality 2025 Awards and was described as “a place you want to be” by food critic Jay Rayner.
Since leaving the Africa Centre, the business has sustained itself by generating revenue through event catering, running kitchen takeovers, alongside monthly Teranga nights held in Lower Clapton. As of October 23, Little Baobab has raised £7,660 of its £50,000 target, with two weeks left to reach the goal.
