On a good day, Valimamade claims, small bakeries like his own can sell as many as 2,000 “bin Ladens,” adding that a large part of what makes them stand out is their attention-grabbing title.

He is quick to point out, however, that the name has nothing to do with an admiration for or expression of solidarity with the now-deceased al Qaeda figurehead.

“The majority of people like this name,” Valimamade explained. “It seems to me this is nothing to do with politics. Malawian people are very pro-Western.”