Africa’s talented women artisan entrepreneurs are on the rise

Two years ago, when the #ChooseArtisan campaign was launched, the aim was to get the world to recognise the real importance and value of artisan enterprise in contributing to global economic development, poverty alleviation and women's economic empowerment. The campaign certainly got people talking, and rightly so, about the incredible work being done by forward-thinking women artisan entrepreneurs, particularly in places such as Africa. However, what is exciting today is seeing a new generation of women artisan entrepreneurs emerging on the continent who are creating a new wave of companies and brands elevating artisan entrepreneurship in Africa to a whole new global level. What often start out as simple hand-made craft companies which harness the traditional craft skills handed down through the generations in specific communities, are now turning into global brands, supplying some of the major retailers of the world such as Macy's, Saks, and Anthropologie. Leading women artisan entrepreneurship brands such as soleRebels, Rain Africa, ZAAF, and AAKS are all wonderful examples of this new wave of companies and brands taking African craftsmanship to new heights.