INDEGO AFRICA

What INDEGO AFRICA does

Indego Africa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 (EIN: 20-5874831) that operates an artisan-commerce model serving three interlocking constituencies: design-conscious retail consumers in the US, wholesale/trade buyers, and — most distinctively — women artisan cooperatives in Rwanda, Ghana, and refugee camps. The organization sources handcrafted home goods produced using heritage techniques including Rwanda's plateau weaving traditions and Ghana's Bolga weaving, executed by hand over 3–5 days per piece using locally sourced natural fibers (raffia, sisal, elephant grass, sweetgrass, banana leaf, wood). The product portfolio spans signature plateau baskets, tabletop decor, trays and bowls, floor baskets, beaded accents, woven bags, and a refugee-made collection produced in partnership with UNHCR's MADE51 initiative.

The business model combines commerce and philanthropy through two revenue streams: direct-to-consumer and wholesale product sales (units priced from $25 to $528) and tax-deductible donations supporting the Ann B. Zeis Scholarship Fund and artisan training programs. Distribution is omnichannel: a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront, a wholesale program for retailers, a design trade program, and a network of 100+ stockists including Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, the Smithsonian Museum Store, and Denver Art Museum. The organization reinvests 100% of profits into four training programs — Leadership Academy (launched October 2014), Basic Business Training, Technology Training for the Workplace, and Special Workshops — and reports impact metrics including 1,100+ artisans served and 90% of partners reporting income increases.

Indego Africa operates from a NYC showroom at 505 8th Avenue plus offices in Kigali (Rwanda) and Kumasi (Ghana), with 11–50 employees. Notable recent strategic activity includes a 2025 official charity partnership with New York Road Runners for the TCS NYC Marathon, a Spring/Summer 2026 seasonal product launch, and ongoing expansion of its MADE51 refugee artisan initiative. The organization also runs annual fundraising galas and brand collaborations with partners including Shinola, Framebridge, Pantone, and Same Sky.

Name

INDEGO AFRICA

Legal name

Indego Africa

Website

https://indegoafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Indego Africa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an artisan-commerce marketplace that sells handcrafted home goods made by women artisan cooperatives in Rwanda, Ghana, and refugee camps, reinvesting all profits into skills training and global market access for its maker partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Home Decor

NAICS

Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (45942), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Arts & Crafts Supplies Retail (CRALACAA)

Keywords

• Artisan home decor
• Fair trade accessories
• Handwoven baskets
• Women artisan empowerment
• Nonprofit e-commerce

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: E-commerce and wholesale sales of handcrafted home decor and accessories. Products include plateau baskets, trays, bowls, floor baskets, bags, and beaded accents priced from $25 to $528.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to support artisan programs and the Ann B. Zeis Scholarship Fund. 100% of donations invested in artisan-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Indego Africa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling handcrafted home decor, baskets, trays, bowls, bags, and beaded accessories produced by women artisan cooperatives in Rwanda and Ghana. The organization provides skills-based business training and global market access to artisan-owned businesses, reinvesting 100% of profits into artisan education programs and women economic empowerment initiatives.

Product overview

INDEGO AFRICA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating an e-commerce marketplace for handcrafted artisan products. The product portfolio centers on handwoven home goods including plateau baskets (signature plateau baskets, mini and large plateaus), tabletop decor (placemats, coasters, platters), trays and bowls, floor baskets, and beaded accents—all crafted by female artisans in Rwanda and Ghana using locally-sourced natural materials such as raffia, sisal, elephant grass, and sweetgrass. The accessories line includes handwoven bags, bag charms, and hats. A refugee-made collection in partnership with MADE51 supports artisan employment in refugee camps. Beyond product sales, the organization operates impact programs including the Leadership Academy (entrepreneurship training), Technology Training for the Workplace, Basic Business Training, and the Ann B. Zeis Scholarship Fund—all investing in artisan education and economic empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signature Plateau Baskets Handwoven signature plateau baskets in various colors and patterns (Imi, Amace, Ikirandaryi, Imena, Isheja, Madirishya, Kire) made by female artisans in Rwanda from locally-sourced natural materials. Priced $35-$195.
• Mini and Large Plateaus Half-size and full-size sweetgrass plateau baskets in Stained Glass, Akeza, Geo Brights, Lines, Geometric, and Form varieties, handcrafted by Rwandan artisans.
• Tabletop Decor Handmade baskets, placemats, and coasters crafted in Rwanda and Ghana from locally sourced materials for kitchen, dining, and living room accents.
• Trays & Bowls Handcrafted trays and bowls from natural, sustainable materials by artisan partners in Rwanda and Ghana, suitable for serving, storage, and decorative use. Priced $95-$315.
• Floor Baskets Soft yet durable floor baskets for home decor, storage, and plant display, crafted from sustainable fibers including raffia, banana leaf, and Bolga varieties. Priced $60-$395.
• Beaded Accents Hand-beaded home products crafted by artisans in Rwanda and Ghana, featuring beaded bowls, trays, peace baskets, and hand-carved dolls.
• Woven Bags & Accessories Handwoven bags including tote, shoulder, and clutch styles made from raffia and elephant grass by artisans in Rwanda and Ghana, plus bag charms and hats. Priced $85-$380.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of partners report increased income since partnering with Indego Africa
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New York Road RunnerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 November 2025Official charity partner for the TCS NYC Marathon, enabling runners to fundraise for Indego Africa's mission while raising awareness for women economic empowerment.
• MADE51coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for refugee-made products, combining UNHCR's MADE51 initiative with Indego Africa's artisan training and market access to support refugees in creating and selling handcrafted goods.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Refugee Agency partnership through MADE51 initiative supporting refugees with economic opportunities through artisan craft.
• ShinolaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured in 'In Good Company' section showcasing collaborative brands.
• PantoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured in 'In Good Company' section.
• FramebridgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured in 'In Good Company' section.
• Atlantis ResortsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality partner using Indego Africa products.
• Same SkyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured in 'In Good Company' section.
• Azahar FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting artisan initiatives.
• Bloomingdale'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDepartment store retail partner carrying Indego Africa products.
• NordstromminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDepartment store retail partner carrying Indego Africa products.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ten Thousand Villages: Nonprofit fair trade retailer selling handcrafted artisan home goods and accessories from developing-country artisans. Most directly comparable peer to Indego Africa given shared nonprofit status, fair trade mission, artisan supply chain, and DTC + wholesale model.
• MADE51: UNHCR-led initiative enabling refugees to produce and sell handcrafted goods internationally. Direct counterparty/peer in the refugee-made artisan category; comparable product line and beneficiary model even though it operates as an initiative rather than retailer.
• Made Trade: Certified B Corp online marketplace curating ethical and sustainable home goods, apparel, and accessories from global artisans and makers. Closely comparable curated marketplace positioning with similar values-based buyer target.
• Accompany: Ethical marketplace for curated, sustainably made apparel, accessories, and home goods from global artisan brands. Comparable in artisan-first marketplace positioning and values-driven consumer target.
• SERRV International: Nonprofit fair trade organization selling handcrafted products from artisans in developing countries through e-commerce and wholesale. Closely comparable nonprofit fair trade model, artisan supply chain structure, and multi-channel distribution.
• The Citizenry: Direct-to-consumer home goods brand producing limited-edition collections with artisan partners around the world. Comparable to Indego Africa in premium artisan home decor, ethical sourcing narrative, and e-commerce-first GTM.
• Goodee: B Corp marketplace for ethically sourced home goods and lifestyle products from independent makers worldwide. Comparable e-commerce marketplace model, premium artisan home decor assortment, and design-conscious customer base.
• The Little Market: Nonprofit fair trade e-commerce retailer selling artisan-made products from around the world, with proceeds supporting artisans and their communities. Strong structural analogue as a nonprofit DTC artisan retailer with a social mission.
• Novica: Online marketplace connecting artisans from around the world with global buyers for handcrafted home decor, jewelry, and apparel. Directly comparable e-commerce artisan marketplace model with similar artisan empowerment mission.

Others

• Heifer International: Global nonprofit focused on ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture and artisan enterprise programs. Adjacent nonprofit peer operating in artisan economic empowerment with international funding model, though focused more broadly than home goods retail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/indego_africa
• Facebookfacebook.com/indegoafrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shelbyquackenbush

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INDEGO AFRICA