Acquired and upgraded an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy machine (ICP-OES) for mineral analysis, including an autosampler which enables high throughput analyses (Fig. 1). Research Associate Derick Malavi received training on operating the ICP-OES and X-Ray Fluorescence at the Maize Quality Laboratory, CIMMYT in Mexico. FANEL successfully registered for proficiency testing of our protocols with LGC Standards, an accredited proficiency testing laboratory based in the UK. Implemented the FANEL business plan to ensure sustainability as a service unit. Improved the functionality of FANEL-FLOW, an on-line system available via a web browser, to help improve workflow management within the FANEL.