Indego Africa Project

Vocational & business training:our programs help unemployed youth and refugees build the skills to integrate and succeed in the global artisan economy with the following outcomes:- master multiple handicraft techniques through retraining. We provide opportunities for our artisan partners to continuously refresh, refine and expand their skills through retraining workshops and gain exposure to a variety of techniques and fibers.- form, register and run an independent woman-owned cooperative business with bank account set up.- become Indego Africa suppliers and produce handmade goods for the export market.- improve livelihoods for themselves and financial ability to support their families.- provide access to capital through the igiceri credit union in rwanda, founded by graduates of Indego's leadership academy.

Business and community leadership:indego Africa believes that educating women is the key to long-term empowerment and social change. Through customized education programs, Indego's partners develop the knowledge and skills they need to run and scale their own businesses, become empowered entrepreneurs, and drive economic growth in their communities.

Market access:providing our artisan partners with opportunities to earn steady, sustainable income is a key element of Indego's market-based impact model and international supply chain. To further increase the work available for the artisans beyond our existing wholesale and retail distribution channels, in 2021 we added a third distribution channel for high volume custom orders for major brands. Our production teams in Africa travel to and work directly with our artisan partners to explain product specifications and conduct quality control reviews, and prepare for monthly air cargo shipments to the u.s. This helps reinforce our partners' practical skills with the onsite guidance they need to create high quality products for the international export market.