STRONG GLOBAL DEMAND AND SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT

Global demand for craft and natural cosmetics is on the rise.  Artisan production is a US $34 billion dollar industry globally, and is the second largest employer in developing countries after agriculture(1). And the natural and organic personal care market has registered double-digit growth for six consecutive years, with nearly US$30 billion in global sales in 2014(2).

Hundreds of thousands of women across Africa and the Middle East participate in, and earn their livelihood from, the artisan and natural cosmetics sectors. Often, depth and scope of this significant impact is not often fully recognized. In developing countries, the contribution these two sectors make to the economy and export industry is increasing as it often is seen as a solution to both rural and urban unemployment (4).

However, despite the global market opportunity and the substantial impact, women-led social enterprises in these sectors continually face barriers to growth such as:

• limited access to finance and global buyers;

• scalability to compete in global markets;

• lack of effective product development and design;

• limited business skills training;

• effective trade policies.

To fully unleash the potential and impact of these social enterprises across Africa and the Middle East, Trade+Impact was created to unite relevant stakeholders with a common mission to work together to create an environment for these enterprises to grow and increase their impact in their communities and beyond.