Aketekete
Aketekete is a Ghanaian artisan brand founded in 2020 that designs and sells handcrafted jewelry, Bolga-woven bags, and basketry through DTC e-commerce, 25+ global wholesale stockists, and bespoke collaborations, working with a network of over 70 artisans across Ghana.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAccra, Ghana
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aketekete does
Aketekete is a Ghanaian artisan brand founded in 2020 by Maria Bernat Astorga and Michael Nana Gyan, headquartered in Accra with a secondary office in Barcelona. The company produces handcrafted jewelry, Bolga-woven summer bags, and basketry using traditional techniques — recycled glass bead-making from Krobo communities, veta vera grass basket weaving, and ancestral tie-and-dye — working with a network of over 70 artisans spread across Ghana (43 weavers, 9 bead makers, 4 goldsmiths, 3 gold plating technicians, 7 dyers). Product lines span jewelry sub-collections (Tsuiblɛoo, Ɛhhann, OWIA, ODO, Nkyinkyim), summer bags, and basketry, with retail prices ranging from €38 to €286.
The business operates a three-channel revenue model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce at aketekete.com, wholesale distribution to 25+ retail stockists across Europe, USA, Middle East, West Africa, and Asia, and bespoke/custom collaboration projects for designers, architects, and event clients. Wholesale partners add a minimum 2.5x markup, and the brand explicitly identifies wholesale as the priority channel because it provides steady bulk orders for artisan communities. Distribution is supported by content marketing (Instagram, blog/journal, email newsletter) and recurring flagship collaborations (Hypso Paris, Aveda Taiwan/SouSou Corner, Raphaela & Alexis).
The company is privately held, founder-led, and has no disclosed external funding. In 2024, Aketekete implemented a price adjustment to offset quadrupled shipping costs and inflation, shifted to a made-to-order production model, expanded its office team, and announced a planned warehouse in Spain to optimize fulfillment expenses — indicating a phase of operational scaling and margin defense rather than venture-backed expansion.
Aketekete firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aketekete
- Legal name
- AKETEKETE, ENT.
- Website
- https://aketekete.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aketekete is a Ghanaian artisan brand founded in 2020 that designs and sells handcrafted jewelry, Bolga-woven bags, and basketry through DTC e-commerce, 25+ global wholesale stockists, and bespoke collaborations, working with a network of over 70 artisans across Ghana.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aketekete industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Handcrafted Artisan Fashion Accessories & Home Goods
- NAICS
- Jewelry Retailers (458310), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)
- SIC
- Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven) (CRAKABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainable / Ethical Apparel & Accessories Wholesale (CRAOADAJ)
Keywords
Where Aketekete is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Accra
- HQ country
- Ghana
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aketekete business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Retail: Direct-to-consumer sales through the brand's e-commerce website (aketekete.com), selling jewelry, bags, baskets, and home decor at retail prices ranging from €38 to €286.
- Wholesale to Retailers: Wholesale distribution to retail stockists globally. Each store adds at least a 2.5x markup to product prices. The brand prioritizes wholesale as it provides steady jobs through bulk orders, generating significant income for artisan team.
- Bespoke/Custom Orders: Custom collaboration projects for designers, architects, concept stores, and private clients. Examples include wedding fans for Raphaela and Alexis, and customized bags for Hypso Paris.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jewelry products ranging from €66 to €162 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer bags ranging from €48 to €146 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basketry products ranging from €38 to €286 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift cards available from €50 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Aketekete product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aketekete designs, produces, and sells handcrafted jewelry, summer bags, and basketry made by Ghanaian artisans using traditional techniques and recycled/sustainable materials. The brand sells directly to consumers through its e-commerce site and to retail stockists globally, and also accepts bespoke custom orders for collaborations and private label projects.
Product overview
Aketekete is a Ghanaian artisan brand offering handcrafted jewelry, summer bags (Bolga woven), and basketry products. The core product lines include: Handcrafted Jewelry featuring necklaces, earrings, and bracelets made with recycled glass beads and 24K gold-plated brass; Summer Bags handwoven using traditional Bolga weaving techniques; and Basketry including storage baskets, wall decor, and art pieces. Collections include Tsuiblɛoo, Ɛhhann, OWIA, ODO, and Nkyinkyim. The brand also offers bespoke customization services and collaborates with designers for custom projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Handcrafted Jewelry
Quantifiable outcome
- Price transparency: 2.5x minimum markup for retail partners ensures sustainable artisan wages
Companies that use Aketekete
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aketekete technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Aketekete partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Hypso ParisflagshipSophie Chemla, director of Hypso Paris, customized Aketekete's Piiki Bags with bandana-style fabrics, handmade crocheted smiles, and personalized beaded charms. The limited-edition collection blends Ghanaian craftsmanship with Parisian flair and is available exclusively at Hypso stores.
- Raphaela and AlexisflagshipAketekete created 220 handwoven fans as wedding favors for Raphaela and Alexis's wedding in Lisboa. Twenty-two women from four communities in Northern Ghana crafted the fans over several days, with each fan taking over 5 days to complete. The project exemplified conscious and ethical wedding choices while supporting Ghanaian artisan communities.
- SouSou CornerflagshipTaiwan-based artisan hub collaborated with Aketekete to create two giant Bolga Woven Fans (180cm x 120cm each) for display at Aveda Store in Taiwan. Each fan took 18 days to complete. The collaboration also produced 30 bespoke baskets featuring new color combinations. The project aimed to showcase Ghanaian craftsmanship and spark discussions about sustainability in Africa.
- Aveda TaiwancoreAveda Store in Da'an District, Taiwan served as the venue for the SouSou Corner collaboration exhibition, showcasing Ghanaian Bolga weaving tradition and Aketekete's artisanal products.
- Kim Zabriskie (The Wedding Collab)coreWedding planner who guided Raphaela and Alexis in creating a conscious, sustainable wedding celebration. Collaborated with Aketekete to design bespoke woven fans reflecting the couple's values and wedding aesthetics.
- Bamba ZonkecoreCape Town brand founded by Sarah Lederman collaborated with Aketekete to use tie and dye fabrics made from old stock materials found in local markets and hand-dyed in Nima. Each bag is one-of-a-kind, drawing inspiration from Cape Town's turquoise seas and South African native culture.
- Osei-DurocoreAccra-based fashion brand that hosted Aketekete as part of their 'OSEI-DURO LOVES' open-house holiday series. Aketekete showcased products including jewelry, bags, and collaborated with Osei-Duro's Antydote collection.
- MintedcoreStockist partner that connected Aketekete with Bridget Bahl for a wedding order of 45 handwoven baskets as bridesmaid gifts. Produced within 7 days to meet the tight deadline.
- CarobminorDubai-based motherhood fashion brand founded by Holly Elgeti collaborated on a 'Matching Moments' photo shoot featuring Aketekete's Maame Necklace and Butterfly Bag, showcasing effortless style and sustainability values.
- Martina BeltraminominorFashion designer and stylist created brand imagery for Aketekete with a minimalistic aesthetic that elevates the products as art pieces. Shot featured Dehyeɛ, Tumi, and La Earrings collections.
- Gal·la Alías BotifollminorArchitect and designer based in Artés, Spain, featured Aketekete products (Bolo Basket, Wenne Necklace, Butterfly Bag) in her work showcasing sustainable living and architecture.
- 10 Million WomencoreLondon-based stockist specializing in corporate gifts, offering Aketekete's jewelry and baskets to their customers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aketekete competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Soko: Kenyan-based artisan jewelry brand that connects global consumers with African artisans via a D2C e-commerce platform plus wholesale. Closely comparable business model: ethically sourced handmade jewelry from African artisans sold direct-to-consumer and through stockists.
- Osei-Duro: Accra-based ethical fashion brand producing handmade apparel and accessories in Ghana. Direct regional peer and an actual Aketekete partner that has hosted its pop-ups; comparable product mix (handmade apparel/accessories, Ghana artisan base) and overlap in conscious-consumer positioning.
- Baba Tree Basketry: Ghanaian Bolga basket weaving social enterprise based in the same Northern Ghana artisan communities Aketekete uses. Direct peer in core basketry product category with shared Veta Vera grass craft tradition.
- Indego Africa: Rwanda-based social enterprise producing handcrafted jewelry, accessories, and home goods in partnership with rural women artisans. Comparable artisan-cooperative model, fair-trade positioning, and product overlap in handmade jewelry and baskets.
- Azura Bay: US-based D2C retailer curating African-made jewelry and accessories for global consumers. Comparable target customer (conscious Western buyer), product mix (handmade African jewelry/baskets), and curated artisan-brand marketplace model.
- Bamba Zonke: Cape Town-based bag brand that uses Aketekete's tie-and-dye fabrics in its collections. Comparable handmade-bag category and shared supplier relationship, making it a direct peer with cross-market collaboration.
Broad incumbents
- Mayamiko: Ethical fashion and accessories brand working with Malawi and Ghana artisan groups. Overlaps in handmade accessories, fair-trade positioning, and DTC + wholesale distribution to ethical stockists.
- The Citizenry: US-based D2C home goods and accessories brand with global artisan partnerships across multiple countries (including Africa). Comparable ethical/sustainable positioning, DTC + wholesale model, and conscious consumer target market, but broader and more commercially scaled.
Regional players
- Wax Print Clothing: UK-based brand producing African-inspired bags, accessories, and home goods for the European market. Comparable product mix (African handmade accessories/bags), D2C + wholesale model, and overlap in ethical/sustainable positioning; primarily serves a different geography.
Emerging players
- Maisha Collective: Emerging online retailer curating handmade African jewelry and accessories from multiple artisan brands. Comparable curated marketplace model, conscious consumer base, and product overlap in beaded jewelry; smaller scale than incumbents.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aketekete social profiles
Digital presenceAketekete financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aketekete leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Aketekete funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aketekete M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aketekete
What does Aketekete do?
Aketekete designs, produces, and sells handcrafted jewelry, summer bags, and basketry made by Ghanaian artisans using traditional techniques and recycled/sustainable materials. The brand sells directly to consumers through its e-commerce site and to retail stockists globally, and also accepts bespoke custom orders for collaborations and private label projects.
Is Aketekete a public or private company?
Aketekete is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aketekete founded?
Aketekete was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aketekete based?
Aketekete is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, in the Africa region.
How does Aketekete make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Retail is the primary driver. The others are wholesale to Retailers and bespoke/Custom Orders.
Who are Aketekete's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Soko, Osei-Duro, Baba Tree Basketry, Indego Africa, Azura Bay and Bamba Zonke. Broad incumbents are Mayamiko and The Citizenry. Wax Print Clothing is listed as a regional player. Maisha Collective is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aketekete have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aketekete.
What industry is Aketekete in?
Aketekete's product category is Handcrafted Artisan Fashion Accessories & Home Goods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAKABAD, Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven), with a secondary code of CRAOADAJ, Sustainable / Ethical Apparel & Accessories Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 458310 and its SIC code is 3960.