Ghanaian skincare brand KAEME wins DHL ESG Excellence Exporter of the Year award

Ghanaian skincare brand KAEME has been recognized as the DHL ESG Excellence Exporter of the Year at an event in Dubai. Founded by Freda Obeng-Ampofo, KAEME produces a range of natural products such as body butters, black soap, body oils, candles, and reed diffusers, which are exported to over 15 countries across Africa, North America, and Europe.

The award acknowledges the company's commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, specifically its work with artisanal gold mining communities in Juaso and Bososo. When KAEME first partnered with these communities, black soap production was lacking in standardization, quality control, and market access. The company addressed these issues by developing standardized formulations, training local producers in Good Manufacturing Practices, implementing quality control systems, and establishing logistics for international distribution.

Obeng-Ampofo continues to visit these communities to maintain traceability within the supply chain. Additionally, KAEME has invested in transitioning its Accra production facility to solar energy, with the project currently 65% complete. The company also sources more than 70% of its raw materials locally in Ghana, uses fully recyclable packaging, and incorporates rainwater harvesting.

Governance-wise, KAEME maintains transparent financial reporting, ethical sourcing standards, and data governance systems for its e-commerce operations. This award joins KAEME's other accolades, including being named Skincare Brand of the Year from 2022 to 2024 and Manufacturing Company of the Year in 2025. The recognition from DHL highlights the company's ability to maintain high ESG standards while providing a competitive advantage for African businesses.