I currently have one Job

To ensure that Africa Consumes what Africa Produces, through real empowerment of the African people to be the driver's of Production

My job entails ensuring that those who are gifted and are passionate with making or producing have a platform through which they can ignite their passion into a product we can push to the market.
http://facebook.com/groups/madenafrica is providing the space for exploration

From there we have specialised and serious groups for people to start production.

All this is aimed at replacing some of the products we Currently import from China to be made locally

We have started with low hanging fruits (mainly textile products) & sadly due to lack of

Machinery and raw materials in our countries we have to import most and just make final products.

Our hope is that our industries can start producing these so that we limit imports.

So far we have several niches that are ready to go to market by 1st June all things being equal - most are affected by the Lockdowns

I will be updating on this tweet whenever I get confident with the capacity

We have multi country focus which will lead to in country sales

What I mean is for example in the Cushion group we have the whole of Southern Africa represented and they are polishing up their skills.

Someone from Malawi won't have to source from Namibia if we already have an equally good cushion there.

Off my head I am certain that we are set for the KnIt & Crotchet Niche These are boutique products targeting high end buyers & we expect each of these Knitters to employ several other Knitters for fulfilment

The bar has been set so high already as the products are export quality

The Cushions are exciting because they are a direct replacement of what we currently import
They are doing extremely well & have the numbers to offset the imports
The leadership & all makers are geared up & well spread across our region

As can be noted the product is spectacular

Lingerie is already up there on seriousness & as it is we are foreseeing another direct import replacement
These constitute a huge % of our current orders on http://zoppah.com 
So simple to make yet high value

Beddings will begin with just sourcing the materials and sewing the required items. Unfortunately we have a shortage of the Hotel Grade Cotton users want, so imports will be the order of the day for now

Quality & capacity already there to offset imports

Handbags are so exciting because they are the easiest to make but we currently import containers of them.

This is a niche to watch as it will grow very fast due to availability of leather and easy to make nature.

Shoes are going to start from the easiest upwards with sandals leading the trade moving to flat shoes and then slowly heels.

Already have levels of excellency

We import wigs at alarming rates
The dedication in the Wig Making Niche shows that we can turn these tables we might have to work more on the production of the wig caps & hair locally and all other accessories. For now assembling is our best bet

Reusable Diapers

We saw a sudden increase in these imports and am glad the team is so ahead in getting these done locally

They are bulky, doesn't make sense to air ship and yet people still do

Still not happy to be importing the materials though

This pic is the inspiration

Reusable Pads

These aren't really fitting into import replacements BUT will go a long way in creating Jobs and also serving those left behind by current products

This is an import substitution product in that some people who might have imported decor items might choose to go for this Sisal Decor. These are the pictures that have inspired the members to say we have lots of sisal we can do it

I will share more pictures once they ace this

The Tyre Furniture group will also cause a dent

As can be noted here producers across countries already have grasp just need the quality and quantity consistency

There are so many other areas that aren't import substitutions BUT have keen producers will share more on those here

I shared a bit of background on this tweet

I will be talking more about this on my YouTube Channel https://twitter.com/sikunkhoma/status/1246150617153798144?s=19

You can Subscribe here

I feel we need to talk more about what this is truly about and why it's important to tackle it head on Through Ensuring ordinary Africans are the main Drivers
Unless households own means of production we can't move https://www.youtube.com/user/sikunkhoma 

I have realised I will share more of the Pictorial Journey of the Products on Instagram.

I feel the product journeys need to be documented

Check out here http://instagram.com/sikunkhoma_ 

We owe everything to our leaders who have taken up the challenge of leading our groups. These are very busy people who are so skilled but they still don't want to leave everyone behind. They know that no matter how skilled you are, you are just but a drop in the ocean

We are having a lot of employment generation groups
I like this set because they won't leave our countries if ever they disagree with politics of powers be that happens with Multinationals.
Ordinary people making amazing products. So today was wowed by the quality of Jam being

Being produced in the Jam group. This means that local communities can start having cottage industries first supplying friends and family and with time & powered by eCommerce deliver across the country

From one person. We move into several people employed to satisfy demand

This is how we will kick start our economies after COVID-19
By making it possible for people to dream

The journey has begun and this train won't be stopped

It's now getting exciting with new niches coming up and the push coming from everyone is amazing.
That's one product we will have a critical mass of products that solves our current problems

They are looking at Oyster 1st then Button

Her button mushrooms beautifully sprouting