Little Baobab, which says it is the first dedicated Senegalese restaurant in London, was founded by chef Khadim Mane. It is looking to raise £50,000 following the unexpected closure of the Africa Centre in Southwark, where the restaurant was previously based.
“Unfortunately in late July this year, the Africa Centre was forced to close its doors due to financial stress. As the resident restaurant in the centre we also had to close with zero notice, which has been very tough on the business and our wider team,” the restaurant says.
“Despite this, we’re looking to turn this situation into a positive and use the opportunity to finally find our own permanent home for Little Baobab, and for Senegalese food in the UK.”
The 35-cover restaurant had spent two years at the centre, during which time it won the African Food Award at the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards 2025.
It serves modern, authentic Senegalese dishes such as thiebou dienne; yassa; and mafe and experiments with the flavours and textures of traditional Senegalese food and ingredients to create modern versions of snacks, small plates and desserts.
Potential new sites are already under consideration, with the campaign aiming to raise £50,000 to complete the funding needed for the next chapter of the restaurant, including covering design and building work, additional furniture and kitchen equipment, and pre-opening costs.
“We have started the search for a site and have some really good options on the table, but any of these options would require significant costs upfront in order to make the space our own,” the restaurant adds.
As well as a restaurant, Little Baobab is a community hub celebrating Senegalese and African heritage through food, music, and dance. It also runs cooking classes for young people, providing training and opportunities for those from diverse backgrounds.
The crowdfunding campaign, on the Crowdfunder platform, offers a range of rewards, including pre-paid meals, cooking classes with Chef Khadim and private dining experiences.