British Airways is set to serve Khayelitsha Cookies onboard its flights following a landmark export agreement that marks a major breakthrough for the Cape Town-based biscuit producer.

The deal places the South African women-owned business on an international stage, introducing its baked goods to global travellers and strengthening its footprint in the United Kingdom’s competitive food market.

According to Tommy Williams, Operations Executive at Khayelitsha Cookies, the agreements represent a defining moment for the company’s growth and international ambition.

“We are incredibly grateful to the International Trade Centre and the UK Trade Partnerships Programme for helping turn these two exciting deals into reality.
“Thanks to their support, we will now be supplying two UK-based companies in the UK, with our biscuits, making their way across the country and sharing the rich, irresistible taste of South Africa with customers far and wide.”
Tommy Williams

The agreement forms part of broader export contracts worth more than R1.4 million, secured between Khayelitsha Cookies and two UK-backed companies.

Under the arrangement, the company will supply baked products for British Airways in-flight services while also manufacturing private-label shortbread products for retail distribution in the UK. The dual contracts represent a significant expansion for the business, which has grown from a local producer into an emerging exporter with international reach.

For Khayelitsha Cookies, the deal is more than a commercial milestone. It signals entry into a highly regulated and quality-driven global supply chain. Supplying an airline such as British Airways requires consistent production standards, strict food safety compliance, and reliable logistics. Meeting these requirements positions the company as a credible player in international food manufacturing and opens the door to further export opportunities beyond the UK market.

The UK Trade Partnerships Programme, a UK government-funded initiative, assisted in the conclusion of the agreements. The program’s goal is to assist developing nations in taking advantage of the UK’s Economic Partnership Agreement, which grants them preferential export access.

About 95% of South African goods may enter the UK market tariff-free under this structure, which drastically lowers costs and encourages small and medium-sized businesses to grow internationally.

Through this support mechanism, Khayelitsha Cookies also secured a second commercial deal to supply private-label shortbread products to UK retailers. This additional agreement strengthens the company’s export pipeline and diversifies its income base, ensuring that its growth is not reliant on a single buyer or product line.

Together, these contracts are expected to enhance production capacity and create new employment opportunities within the business.

From Cape Town to Britain: Khayelitsha Cookies Secures Landmark Export Expansion

Khayelitsha Cookies is rooted in inclusive entrepreneurship and community upliftment. The company is 100% women-owned and primarily employs previously unemployed women from Khayelitsha and surrounding underserved communities across the Western Cape.

Through structured training, these women are equipped to hand-bake and hand-pack a range of products, including cookies, brownies, and cheese straws in a Food Safety certified factory located in Beaconvale, Parow.

The business model is designed not only to generate profit but also to restore dignity, reduce unemployment, and strengthen local livelihoods through sustainable employment.

By providing stable income opportunities, the company empowers each employee to support up to five dependents, creating a ripple effect of economic relief across households and communities.

According to the company, every 1,000 cookies sold enables each woman employed to support between five and seven dependents within her family or wider community. The products are distributed across multiple sectors, including hospitality, schools, hospitals, offices, and retail outlets, ensuring steady demand that supports consistent employment.

With production expected to increase following newly secured UK contracts, the business anticipates expanding its workforce and deepening its social impact in the communities it serves.

The expansion into the British market is therefore expected to deliver both commercial and developmental benefits, linking international trade directly with grassroots economic empowerment.

It also highlights how targeted trade support programmes can help small enterprises overcome barriers to entry in global markets and integrate into international supply chains.

British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson welcomed the development and praised the company’s social impact, highlighting the value of UK–South Africa trade ties.

“I had the privilege of visiting Khayelitsha Cookies’ factory and meeting the remarkable women behind the business, and I was deeply inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to their community.
Antony Phillipson

She noted that, “This partnership is a powerful example of how trade can deliver growth on both sides, creating opportunities and livelihoods in South Africa, while bringing high-quality, proudly South African products to UK consumers.”