Each pair of our shoes convinces with its uniqueness and creates the feeling of not only getting a pair of shoes, but also a little piece of Ethiopia.
We want to build a fashion brand in Africa that has a positive, social and sustainable impact, yet does not compromise on quality.
Vision
The common goal of the founders Azariah Mengistu and Jawad Braye is, to build a fashion business in Africa that maximizes their social impact, minimizes their environmental impact and does not compromise on quality.
Responsibility
ENZI is committed to generate employment and opportunities for workers to gain valuable industry skills, while receiving appropriate pay and benefits.
The company uses the best of Ethiopian highland leather and pays fair prices to local tanneries and to its small, talented staff.Each shoe is crafted by hand and may vary slightly as the leather comes from animals that have lived a full life.
Handcrafted in Ethiopia
It's quite noisy in ENZIs workshops, with the cobblers tapping and beating the leather to get it into the right shape and to fix it firmly in place. Meanwhile, the quiet detailed work is done by the seamstresses and tailors, who assemble the individual components precisely.
Jawad Braye learned the craftsmanship in London and shared his knowledge with the people of Addis Ababa.
The production of a single handcrafted shoe requires 6 to 7 hours of work. An effort that the team around Jawad Braye is willing to take on, because the result is not only beautiful to look at, but also authentic and durable.
Shimena focuses on the preservation of the traditional culture of weaving and creates colorful, unique textiles.
We want to provide education and training to talented, unemployed people and craftsmen from the mountains of Arba Minch.
Vision
The founder Firew Konjo aims to preserve the more than 2000-year-old, traditional handicraft of weaving to make it a sustainable, profitable job opportunity for this and all upcoming generations.
Furthermore, Shimena reforms cultural rules by incorporating women to work on handloom too. Traditionally women were not allowed to express their creativity in weaving, but thanks to Shimena things are changing.
Responsibility
Shimenas responsibility-policy contains sustainable use, fair payment, support of women entrepreneurship and training programs for the local youth to earn income by working within the production chain.
Like weaving threads to create good fabric, we need to weave friendships to create a fair, cooperating society.
Handcrafted in Ethiopia
The methods of making Shimenas textiles have been passed between generations for thousands of years.
The talented weavers and spinners let their fingers dance around the yarns at breathtaking speed and process each workpiece with passionate dedication. Off the job they proudly wear their exceptional creation.
Kabana Leather is an ethical company, producing creative and innovative designed leather bags.
In Ethiopia, every family is male-dominated, and sons are given more chances than daughters. As a young female entrepreneur, I aim to be a role model for many young women to follow my footsteps.
Vision
The company's vision is to be a leading leather manufacturing company of Africa, that develops the look of Ethiopian femininity with distinctive designs.
By hiring socially oppressed women, the company aims to fight the prevalent gender inequality and proves that women leadership contributes strongly to the economic prosperity of Ethiopia.
Kabana is on its mission to represent ethical, sustainable African fashion, all packed in a modern, classy designed leather bag.
Responsibility
Kabana does not only offer valuable and durable products, it also creates shared value for the community by hiring migrant workers and engaging women in leading positions. The company pays 4 times the national average salary and employs almost only women, to empower and encourage them living a life in self-determination.
The female founder Semhal Guesh ensures that as the company strives to make profits, it continues to meet the needs of the people and planet.
Handcrafted in Ethiopia
A leather bag made by hand requires a lot of care and passion in fabrication.
While the trained eyes of Kabana's seamstresses and tailors check every tiny needle stitch and scissor cut, their deftly fingers wander over the leather to put it in the right place and manufacture it cautiously.