Your distribution partner for authentic African and Caribbean foods.
GABA Marketplace Center, Inc. is an American distribution company founded in 2023 by Mr. Akindele Akinyemi and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The company sources, imports, and distributes African and Caribbean food and non-food products to grocery stores, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses across the United States.
GABA Marketplace Center works directly with African and Caribbean producers to bring their products to American shelves and into American homes. Every product is cleared, labeled, and prepared for the U.S. market, so customers get consistent supply from one trusted partner instead of managing many small importers.
Our Services
- WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Purchases through GABA support your supplier diversity goals.
- Direct Producer Partnerships. We work directly with producers in Africa and the Caribbean, including Duchess Naturals Limited in Abuja, Nigeria.
- U.S. Market-Ready. Every product is cleared, labeled, and prepared to meet U.S. import requirements.
- Detroit-Based Distribution Hub. Warehousing, packaging, and freight coordination from the heart of the Midwest.
- Michigan Corporation Since 2023. An established, active Michigan corporation in good standing.
Our Next Chapter: A First Look at Our New Facility
Our Team
An experienced leadership team guiding GABA Marketplace Center’s growth across the United States and Africa.
A PHRi-certified people strategist, JD candidate, and University of Michigan-Flint BBA, Rhonna-Rose Akama-Makia brings nearly two decades of HR, compliance, and years of immigration expertise to connecting African producers with American markets.
Ms. Rhonna-Rose Akama-Makia, PHRi
Owner
An award-winning educator with an M.A. in Educational Leadership and a B.S. from Eastern Michigan University, Akindele Akinyemi founded GABA Marketplace Center to build economic bridges between Africa and Detroit.
Mr. Akindele Akinyemi, MA
Managing Principal
A 2025 African Woman of the Year honoree with a Doctor of Business Administration and an Executive MBA, Dr. Victoria Akai brings over two decades of trade and agribusiness leadership as CEO of Duchess Naturals Limited.
Dr. Victoria Akai, IIPM, FICMC
Board Advisor