CRÉATION AFRICA: These handmade Malawian eco baskets are full of hopes and dreams

A women-owned Malawian design studio, Akhada Baskets, is revolutionizing the traditional woven basket industry with eco-friendly, culturally-rich products. Founded by Tisungane Thomson, the company aims to empower local weavers and preserve Malawi's cultural heritage. The journey began when Thomson met a struggling weaver in Salima, who showed her beautifully crafted baskets.

Recognizing the potential for these artisans to access stable markets, Thomson decided to help them preserve their craft and create livelihoods for themselves and their families.

Initially, Akhada Baskets grew to nine weavers by the end of 2018, and today, the company has more than 70 weavers working from their homes in Salima and Blantyre. Utilizing traditional Malawian weaving techniques, Akhada Baskets creates handcrafted baskets, wall art, and furniture from locally sourced palm leaves and other eco-friendly materials. The products range from heavy-duty laundry baskets and baby carriers to wall art and various home décor items.

Akhada Baskets sells their products locally to clients in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as internationally to parts of Europe and China. In a remarkable achievement, the company has been chosen as one of 15 finalists in Création Africa, a development program supporting emerging cultural and creative entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. Akhada Baskets will undergo an intensive business incubation program overseen by the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (Ifas).

Despite facing challenges such as transportation issues, Akhada Baskets has persevered by securing funding grants to purchase a van, improving their supply chain and learning essential business skills. Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its reach beyond Malawi, grow the palm trees used to create their baskets, and provide more opportunities for local farmers.