ApiAfrique

What ApiAfrique does

ApiAfrique is a Senegalese social enterprise founded in 2017 that designs, manufactures, and distributes reusable hygiene products for women and babies from its workshop in Ngaparou, in the Thiès region. Its core catalog includes reusable menstrual pads (in four sizes, GOTS-certified organic cotton with OekoTex-certified PUL waterproofing), reusable baby diapers (three sizes), baby wipes, nursing pads, and reusable makeup removers, all rated for approximately 400 uses. Products are sold one-time at retail and wholesale (no subscription) to individual consumers, parents, and institutional buyers (NGOs, associations, corporate CSR programs), and are distributed across Senegal, France, and Côte d'Ivoire via supermarket chains (Carrefour, Supeco, Auchan), concept stores, e-commerce platforms (Jumia, own site, partner sites), and partner NGOs. In 2022 the company extended its offer with the Weerwi digital sub-brand — a mobile app, chatbot, YouTube series, and educational booklet funded by the Botnar Foundation — adding a menstrual-health education and cycle-tracking layer to the physical product business. The company is B Corp certified (since May 2021), holds GOTS and OekoTex material certifications, operates with a 90-95% female workforce, and has reported cumulative impact metrics including 4,549 tonnes of waste prevented, 19.2 million disposable napkins avoided, 519,000 people sensitized, and 28 jobs created.

Name

ApiAfrique

Legal name

ApiAfrique

Website

https://apiafrique.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ApiAfrique is a Senegalese social enterprise that manufactures and distributes reusable menstrual pads, baby diapers, wipes, and nursing pads from its Ngaparou workshop, serving women, parents, NGOs, and retailers across Senegal, France, and Côte d'Ivoire, complemented by the Weerwi digital menstrual-health platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reusable Hygiene Products

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Menstrual Pads (Reusable/Cloth) (CRABAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Feminine Care Applicators & Accessories (CRABAIAO)

Keywords

• Reusable menstrual pads
• Reusable baby diapers
• Hygiene wipes
• Menstrual health education
• Sanitary product manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Ngaparou, Thiès

HQ country

Senegal

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of reusable hygiene products including menstrual pads, baby diapers, nursing pads, and makeup removers. Products sold through retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer channels. One-time purchase model with products lasting 2-5 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ApiAfrique manufactures and distributes reusable menstrual pads, reusable baby diapers, and reusable hygiene wipes produced in Senegal, and operates the Weerwi digital education platform that delivers menstrual health information to women and girls. The company sells its reusable hygiene products through both direct-to-consumer channels and B2B institutional partnerships (NGOs, humanitarian agencies, and retailers) serving low-income and vulnerable populations in West Africa.

Product overview

ApiAfrique is a Senegalese social enterprise offering a portfolio of washable and reusable hygiene products for women and babies, all manufactured in Senegal at their Ngaparou workshop. The core product line includes reusable sanitary pads available in 4 sizes (thong liner, panty liner, day pad, night pad) and reusable baby diapers available in 3 sizes with interchangeable components. Supporting products include baby wipes, make-up removers, nursing pads, and starter kits for first periods. The product ecosystem is complemented by the Weerwi digital sub-brand, which provides a mobile app, chatbot, YouTube series, and informational resources for menstrual cycle education. The company also runs community programs including 'Changeons les règles' for menstrual health awareness and 'Take Part' for product access to disadvantaged populations. All products are designed to be reusable approximately 400 times, emphasizing environmental sustainability and cost savings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Weerwi: Digital tools platform for understanding and tracking menstrual cycles, including mobile app, chatbot, YouTube series, booklet, and website.

Products and services

• Reusable menstrual pads Locally manufactured in Senegal, reusable cloth-based menstrual pads sold to individual women and girls and distributed through NGO/humanitarian partners as an affordable, sustainable alternative to imported disposable pads.
• Reusable baby diapers Washable, reusable cloth baby diapers produced in Senegal and sold to mothers and caregivers, as well as through institutional partners, as a lower long-run-cost and lower-waste alternative to disposable diapers.
• Reusable hygiene wipes Reusable hygiene wipes manufactured in Senegal, marketed alongside the company's menstrual and baby hygiene products for personal and infant care use.
• Weerwi menstrual health education platform Proprietary digital platform developed by ApiAfrique that delivers menstrual health education content to women and adolescent girls, addressing stigma, puberty, and hygiene knowledge gaps in low-income West African communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4549 tonnes of waste prevented
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• YaaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Digital platform for connected mothers in Senegal. Yaay connects over 8,000 women daily and serves as a platform for women's health resources. ApiAfrique collaborates with Yaay to develop websites, mobile and USSD apps for greater impact on women and girls in West Africa.
• Speak Up AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization of strategic communication dedicated to bringing African leadership together and promoting sustainable development. Collaborates with ApiAfrique on menstrual health education and awareness campaigns.
• HEC IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator at HEC Paris supporting 60 business projects per year with high economic, social, environmental, and technological impact. ApiAfrique was supported through this incubator.
• Antropia (ESSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial business accelerator enabling social businesses in France. Supports over 145 innovative projects. ApiAfrique benefits from acceleration and mentorship programs.
• GIZsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency supporting Senegal in renewable energy and efficiency. Partnership with GIZ's Sport for Development (S4D) project particularly important for ApiAfrique.
• Fondation Pierre FabresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation working in health and development. Partner in health-related initiatives.
• SoroptimistsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of professional women working to educate and empower women and girls to realize their full potential.
• Next Health Accelerator (NHA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix-month acceleration program focused on opportunity assessment, solution integration in existing value chains, and regional expansion. Provides mentorship and investor network access.
• SonatelsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading Senegalese telecommunications company. Partner in various initiatives and corporate social responsibility programs.
• Carrefour SenegalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor retail chain distributing ApiAfrique products in Senegal supermarkets.
• Auchan SenegalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational retail chain distributing ApiAfrique products in Senegal.
• BiocoopsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench organic retail chain distributing ApiAfrique products in Rennes and surrounding areas.
• Nutrition InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal nutrition organization working to improve nutrition outcomes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Natracare: UK-based organic and natural menstrual care company offering pads, tampons, and liners. Comparable as an established organic/sustainable hygiene brand in the same end category.
• Thinx: US-based period underwear brand. Comparable as a reusable/sustainable menstrual product brand, though serving a different sub-category (absorbent underwear vs. washable pads).

Direct peers

• Ruby Cup: Kenya-founded menstrual cup company with a 'buy one, give one' social model targeting African and global markets. Comparable as an Africa-rooted reusable menstrual product social enterprise.
• EcoFemme: India-based social enterprise producing and distributing reusable cloth menstrual pads with a similar awareness and education program. Comparable as a reusable pad social enterprise with strong impact orientation.
• AFRIpads: Uganda-based social enterprise manufacturing reusable sanitary pads in Sub-Saharan Africa. Closest direct peer given shared mission, African manufacturing footprint, and distribution through NGO/retail channels targeting period poverty.
• GladRags: US-based reusable cloth menstrual pads and panty liners company. Comparable in reusable pad product category and sustainability positioning.
• Saathi: India-based manufacturer of reusable sanitary pads made from organic banana fiber and cotton. Directly comparable in product category, sustainable materials focus, and social enterprise positioning.
• Lunapads: Canada-based pioneer of reusable cloth menstrual pads and period underwear. Comparable product line, sustainability messaging, and direct-to-consumer plus retail distribution.

Emerging players

• TOM Organic: Australia-based organic menstrual care brand with pads and tampons. Comparable in certified-organic, sustainability-led positioning within feminine hygiene.
• Bfree Cup: Africa-focused menstrual cup social enterprise. Comparable as an African-rooted reusable menstrual product company with social impact distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apiafrique
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@apiafrique7733
• Facebookfacebook.com/apiafrique
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apiafrique
• Instagraminstagram.com/apiafrique

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ApiAfrique