Africa’s women artisan entrepreneurs tap into global consumer trends

This weekend saw one of the highlights of Africa’s contemporary artisan design scene with the annual Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. Once again, the event highlighted the importance of celebrating and showcasing some of the most innovative makers and crafters on the continent, many of them women entrepreneurs. The theme of the event, ‘A Return to Making’, echoed the growing global trend towards artisan entrepreneurship. Visit any major city around the world right now and you are more likely to see independent artisan brands and businesses emerging and tapping into a growing, increasingly conscious, customer base. Africa’s talented and innovative women artisan brand builders are well positioned to take advantage of this trend, accessing not just local but also powerful global markets with their world class products.