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An order from a major Italian retailer created jobs for Kenyan women artisans across seven counties. Their shopper bags and accessories sold in Europe will fund initiatives against gender-based violence.
Two years ago, one of Italy’s biggest retailers, CONAD Nord Ovest made its first order from Tujikuze, our social enterprise partner in Kenya. That order was part of CONAD’s campaign to fund initiatives against gender-based violence. They wanted a partner committed to sustainability and to working with women for social impact. Tujikuze fit the bill perfectly. Now that partnership has grown, connecting high-level craftsmanship and collective purpose.
Tujikuze, the social enterprise coordinating this work, is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). It was established with the guidance of ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative as a partnership between four Kenyan companies: Africa Collect Textiles, Savio Youth Enterprise, Virtuous and Satubo.
Their shared, extended network of artisans allows them to offer a game-changing approach to apparel & accessory production for fashion and lifestyle brands and retailers. Together they are creating a production model that connects 120 artisan groups in Kenya with international buyers seeking quality, sustainability and cultural authenticity.
Basket weavers, beaders, braiders, metal and leather workers – their portfolio encompasses all the local heritage crafts, with a focus on handcrafted bags and accessories using circular materials and techniques rooted in Kenyan craftsmanship.
The new CONAD order brought together 29 of their artisan groups, across seven different Kenyan counties, with women making up nearly the entire workforce.
Each product represents hours of skilled work and coordination. Training, process standardization, materials management, and hands-on guidance from EFI have enabled the artisans, nearly all women, to meet complex design and technical needs. Meeting these standards built new levels of confidence among the artisans – they have created work that empowers local economies and supports the confidence and agency women have over their own lives, and the future of their community.
‘During the training conducted by Tujikuze’s master artisans, we learned how to refine our stitching and how to work with greater precision on complex bead patterns. The skills I gained will continue to open new opportunities for me and will allow me to take on more advanced designs and strengthen our collective ability to earn a steady income through our craft.’ – Jane Naisimo, Kajiado County, Kenya
As always, sustainability was placed at the heart of the collaboration with each shopper bag made from 100% locally sourced conventional cotton. A renowned international brand donated 6104 meters of overstock fabrics, upcycled into braided bracelets and chokers. Once destined for disposal, these materials are transformed into handcrafted accessories.
The profits from the order will be reinvested as retained earnings, further advancing Tujikuze’s mission to empower artisans through sustainable livelihoods. Tujikuze’s growing roster and reputation are opening doors to new international collaborations. Each new opportunity builds on the same core foundation: locally grounded production and tangible impact.
At a glance:
Tujikuze is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
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The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
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