5 Elegant African-Inspired Home Decor

My Africa Throw Pillow by Pillow Talk 9ja sold on Bellafricana Shop and Marketplace

Your home should have a touch of elegant African-inspired home decor telling the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love. It’s no doubt that public areas like hotels, conference centres, and recreational areas. This helps to bring out more sparkle, flamboyance, and embellishments to the space.

The beauty of African decorative items is the combination of vivid colors combined with earth tone and vibrant colors like green, yellow, and red to resonate beauty in a way and add glow to a space. 

Adopting these 5 Elegant African-inspired home decorative pieces for your space will transform your space

  1. AFRICAN PRINT THROW PILLOWS:

African print throw pillows are very catchy and beautiful to stare at. It serves as a decor accent to a space; bedroom, sitting room, office spaces, and corners. African throw pillows makers tell stories, using our rustic lifestyles, our commonness, and what makes us unique as Africans. Apoti LagosBosh Designs are design and craft companies that manufacture artistic throw pillows, with beautiful colors, patterns, and craft designs to add feelings and emotions to your space.

Bosh Designs
Danfo throw pillow
Bosh Deigns African Drum throw Pillow sold on bellafricana shop and marketplace
ilu gangan throw pillow

1B. AFRICAN INSPIRED PILLOWS

Pillow Talk 9ja is another creative pillow design maker that uses Nigerian tales to craft elegant pictorial designs and messages. The brand uses relatable Nigerian themes such as festive events, Lagos lifestyle, folklore, and African traditional experiences. It also crafts personalized messages and seasonal/festive celebrations.

My Africa Throw Pillow by Pillow Talk 9ja sold on Bellafricana Shop and Marketplace

2. AFRICAN ARTS AND PAINTINGS

Art pieces are placed in strategic positions like accent walls, shelves, sidewalls, corner spaces to give details to a space. Ronke Scott, an artist has an interesting way of telling African cultural and traditional stories through her edifice. From capturing local and rustic to creating people’s experiences and realities, as well as emotions and doctrines. One of her great pieces of work, “psyche of a black woman”, examines the great features African women possess, strength, struggles, challenges, resilience, beauty, creativity, and uniqueness. Let your home always tell a story.

Ronke Scott Gallery Artworks MINIATURES sold on Bellafricana Marketplace
Ronke Scott Gallery Artworks MINIATURES sold on Bellafricana Marketplace

 

  3. WOODEN HYACINTH LAMPS

Wooden hyacinths products are handcrafted fibers (otherwise known as waste or environmental menace). Waste products are recycled into beautiful furniture pieces. Adding beautiful wooden items can make your space look extra, on the edge and fabulous. MitiMeth creates unique and beautifully handmade hyacinth using fibers to produce crafts for dining chairs, rugs, tissue boxes, storage baskets, and a lot more. Mitimeth does fabulous items using waste fibres which are repurposed into usuable items for the home. 
Lamp hyacinth sold by mitimeth on bellafricana marketplace, African inspired home decor
Lamp hyacinth sold by mitimeth on bellafricana marketplace
 
  Also read: Top 6 Afrocentric Gift Ideas

4. AFRICAN THEMED PERFUME DIFFUSER/ SCENTED CANDLES

Do you know perfume diffusers have a lot to do with your wellbeing? There is nothing better than your favorite scent welcoming you as you walk into a space. Diffusers/candles not only smell great but look great too. They are stylish additions to window sills and act as great minimal centerpieces to tables. Have your house tenderly and nicely scented with Abela World scents perfumery. Abela world scents can last for up to 12 weeks, thereby causing a long-lasting scent in your space. 

Perfume/Oil diffuser sold by Abela scents on Bellafricana marketplace
Perfume/Oil diffuser sold by Abela scents on Bellafricana marketplace
Scented candles sold by Abela scents on bellafricana marketplace, African inspired home decor
Scented candles sold by Abela scents on bellafricana marketplace

5) TISSUE BOX

This tissue box is a very excellent way of having your space free of littered tissues. This Ankara covering helps protect it from getting destroyed easily and stylish. Mitimeth  helps repurpose waste from natural fibres into good decorative pieces suitable for any space. Adding finesse to your space with this great item will not only improve the glow of your space but also adds that edge and color harmony to any vicinity. its infusion of nice ankara material and fibre makes it more catchy and elegant to any space.

 

African inspired home decor

 CONCLUSION

Afrocentric designs add elements of personality, charm, edge, uniqueness, emotions, warmth and inspiration. This fusion of bright and vibrant colors sends great appeal and sentiment to any environment. To order for your beautiful home decoration, click here

6 Beautiful Modern Craft Ideas

Adinkra florals footstool - 6 inches sold on bellafricana marketplace

Craft has been in existence for over centuries, and has no intention of going into extinction. Modern Craft is here to stay and has been handed over to us since our forefather’s days, has been revamped, renewed, and reshaped to fit our technological world.

Places like Egypt, Babylon, and other ancient cities are well known to be Pioneers of Craftsmanship. The word craft itself signifies strength and skills, skill in planning, making, and execution.

Modern craft has evolved over the years as lot of people are diving into it to make honest living. Here is a list of 6 Beautiful Modern Craft ideas that we use in our everyday life.

1. Tissue Box

This tissue box isn’t just the conventional one that uses papers. This is a woven Hyacinth tissue box made from waste fibre and recycled tyres. Yes, remember I said craft is revamped, reused and reshaped. Apart from the innovation that comes with this, its adds glamour, beauty and color to any space. Most people use it as well in their cars. This craft idea is designed by Mitimeth, and this brand has been known for being exceptional in repurposing waste items into usable form.

Tissue Box by mitimeth on Bellafricana Marketplace

2. Hand Woven Bags

Another wonder our craft making is this raffia woven bag. well, this really no surprise at all to the modern craft, since it was actually borrowed way back, it would be crafted into woven hunter’s bag even storage bags for the house. it has be refurbished to serve as outting bags, party bags and even official bags. However, this elegant handmade bag is crafted by Yasmin crafts and its is indeed a beautiful piece to add to your wardrobe.

Handbags by Yasmin Craft on Bellafricana Marketplace

3. Cushion Box

This beautiful cushion box is a great piece to have in any space. It can also serve as a storage basket and a corner stool. This box is well sequenced with wonderful patterns and covered up with a touch of African Fabric. Unlike the traditional boxes that looked boring, this box adds accent and edge to any space it finds itself. This is the great mind of Apoti Lagos. A furniture design company.

 Also Read: 6 Best Online marketplaces for handmade Items
4. Woven Wall Clock

Well modern craft is taking its place in interior decoration. Most especially, public spaces such as a hospitality centre, resort and offices, are now fine tuning their interior decoration using African talented Arts designs. This wall clock here is another wonder of the well put together craft by Mitimeth. Craft has been infused to several items and this makes any space catchy, grabs attention and adds finesse.

Woven wall clock by mitimeth on bellafricana marketplace

5. Resin Tables

If you have never watched how a resin table is made, I would Truly advise you do. The process is alluring and fun to watch. From a dead, wretched wood that should have been disposed, to this masterpiece you see here. Resin table are wonderful craft pieces that has been remade with earthy colors. The designs add a bit of natural feel and ectasy. Apoti Lagos using her resin craft to add glam in any space.

Resin Table By Apoti On Bellafricana Marketplace, modern craft

 

6. Laundry Basket

One fantastic thing about this modern craft laundry Basket is its well patterned and synchronized wood work. This design has a way of adding statement and flow to this piece of furniture. No longer will you have to put up clutter in easy to wear laundry basket, but you can hide it in the nice and pleasantly looking basket. Yasmin Crafts had wonderfully craft this with the intentions of storing in a more detailed and still put together way.

Vector pattern ankara ottoman by apoti lagos sold on bellafricana marketplaceVector pattern ankara ottoman by apoti lagos, modern craft sold on bellafricana marketplace

CONCLUSION

Craft has metamorphosed greatly over the years. As beauty, elegance and poise has been added to style up the usually boring and traditional arts we were left with.  Craft has gone interior decoration, fashion, music etc. These 6 Beautiful Modern Craft Ideas, are the one’s that are usable on a daily and are common to find. To get more on modern craft click here.

 

 

 

6 Best Online marketplaces for handmade Items

Bellafricana Marketplace home

Handmade items are the most valuable items on the market. However, unless you are knocking on the marketplaces for handmade items, selling your handmade goods in any market place can be difficult. This is why you should choose a marketplace that allows you to reach out to more people who are looking for your product.

Unless you find yourself in the most efficient and effective platforms, finding a possible customer community that wants to buy handmade goods can be difficult. Merchants that specialize in selling handcrafted items, on the other hand, don’t have to worry as much because there are specialist platforms for doing so.

If you wish to expand your merchant-reach ship’s to the widest possible audience, you might consider switching to apt marketplaces that help you get your potential reach.

Here is a list of 5 best online marketplace for handmade items within and outside Africa in no particular order:

 1. Etsy:

Etsy is one of the most well-known markets for handcrafted goods, allowing artisans and artists to launch a thriving business. This platform allows you to sell all of your handcrafted items online. Etsy allows you to sell vintage items, handcrafted crafts, and other craft-related products, and it has a vast client base.

With a free account on Etsy, you may effortlessly sell your items. You simply have to pay a modest amount of fees for listing (about $0.02) and a specific proportion of 5 for each transaction you make on this platform. Furthermore, the site allows you to sell products across all categories. On Etsy, the community is very active and efficient.

Etsy Nigeria – Shop for handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts for everyone

 2. Amazon:

Amazon provides an excellent opportunity for all merchants. This is why they bring their Handmade store, which is capable of selling in a huge market. One can effortlessly sell all of your handcrafted items on Amazon’s Handmade store. Furthermore, Amazon provides a wealth of information about what and how you can add to your account when it is approved. The platform, combined with the Artisan profile that comes with a custom URL, makes it easier for your products to find a better place in the market. This will make it easier for people to locate your store. For convenience, you can use Amazon’s Fulfillment service to ship your products.

 3. Bellafricana Marketplace:

This from my research so far, this is one of the  biggest E-Commerce platform, Bellafricana Marketplace is set to promote African made products while trading them to the world. With the unquestionably talents, skills, creativity and yearning for the African experience, Bellafricana Marketplace, is the buffer to ensure our partners and products are of global standard and experience. We pride ourselves as being the one stop destination for a lot of hand-made, niche based African brands with top quality and at best prices. Their services include top notch shopper experience, African-made products at affordable prices, seamless retail processes and outstanding customer support system, and they continue to serve locally based Africa businesses with the intention to ensure growth of these businesses and accommodate more. It’s not just a marketplace but a one-stop marketplace for the continent and growing businesses.

Home – Bellafricana Marketplace (bellafricanashop.com)

 4. Afrikrea:

The key value proposition for Afrikrea is that it serves as a partner to both micro-retailers and their clients. One of the key barriers that is impeding a greater proliferation of e-commerce in Africa is the issue around accepting payments and reliable shipment and delivery methods. Afrikrea has transformed the e-commerce space for the global African fashion and design sector by facilitating payments, commerce and providing the technology framework needed for its retailers.

Afrikrea – Shop and Sell African Fashion, Art and handicraft – Afrikrea

      Also read: Top 6 Afrocentric Gift Ideas
  5. Kamers Makers

An online store for artisans and their handcrafted goods, Kamers Makers’ model is a little different. To sell here, you have to create a store on Shopstar first. So essentially, they give you a secondary platform to display the products and sell them to their niche audience.

You can sell all kinds of products, including jewelry, calendars, scarves, and more.

Sell Online Through The KAMERS Online Store | KAMERS/Makers (kamersvol.com)

  6. Zando

Apparels are clearly the fore-runners among products in Africa. Zando, the South-Africa based online store is perfect for distributors of relatively larger brands. You have to start by emailing them to get approved as a supplier. This means that you should have sufficiently large volumes of stock.

Sell Products Online | Marketplace | South Africa | Zando

CONCLUSION

As a lover of African items, getting the right supplier of a particular item could be really tacky. I have helped research these wonderful sites that you can easily source for items made with African in mind. Click here to get tons and tons of African produce ranging from Fabrics, shoes, interior items, cosmetics and lot more.

5 Fabulous Home Decorative Items Using African Fabrics

African fabrics are known for their diverse and complex designs which usually are a depiction of the culture. Apart from being used as fashion pieces like handbags, and dresses they are also used as decorative pieces. I sat and watched the processes involved in curating and combining African fabrics with furniture, with precision, detail oriented and compassion for the craft was a sight to behold.

Let me take you through 5 Fabulous home decorative items using African fabrics.

 1. WINDOW DRAPES

The beauty of African-made prints is the ability to carefully and seamlessly infuse beautiful and elegant colors to produce vibrance. Adire Fabric is one type of indigenous African fabric that uses the tie and dye process. These window drapes I spotted on @Urbanfiitter on Instagram, use earth-toned colors to add special effects to your space.

As much as window drapes a re essential to every space, its therefore necessary to add a little bit of sparkle and beauty to it because it’s the first thing that catches the eye in a space.

 

Window drapes by Urbanfitter on instagram
Window Drapes.
 2. DUVET COVER

Designing a beautiful duvet as this involves very calculated process. The processes involved in creating this master piece IS really marvellous and exciting to watch. Moreso, lot of designers are specific on the exact type of fabric/designs/color they need for their brand, but the majority of these designs are not easily found in the market, so that is where adire comes in. Artisans are capable of making the exact patterns/designs and dying them to their preferred choice of color. This beautiful Adire duvet is crafted by @1stDibs on instagram and ankara bedding is from @justbeddingslagos.

Adire Duvet by 1stDibs on instagram
Adire Duvet by 1stDibs on instagram

Just Bedding, ankara bedsheet and pillow case Lagos Bellafricana member

 3. THROW PILLOWS

Designers of African fabrics tend to produce well sequenced and colored throw pillows.  It’s no news that designers are now indulging in more creative ways in conceiving beautiful designs and patterns which is anchored on adding elegance, vibrance and fabulousness to every piece they work on. I love this particular design by Apoti Lagos, with its well sequenced and patterned design adding extra edge and flamboyance to a space.

Throw pillows by Apoti Lagos on Bellafricana Marketplace
Throw pillows by Apoti Lagos on Bellafricana Marketplace
 Also read: 5 Unique Woven Craft items
4. FOOTSTOOLS

Footstools make the perfect partners to our sofas and chairs. If you haven’t got enough room for a chaise sofa, a footstool is a great way of providing a footrest at a slightly lower level to your seat. Apoti Lagos, a wood and waste company that provides warm and comfortable furnitures. Another beautifully thing about this company is that it promote African beauty by using simple aesthetic fabrics, thereby adding luxury, vibrance and excellence to any space.

Footstool by Apoti Lagos on bellafricana marketplace
Footstool by Apoti Lagos on bellafricana marketplace
5. CUSHIONS

This hallow cushion is both a storage and decorative piece for ant space. Its well patterned and African fabric creates a fabulous accent too. Simple yet stylish, catchy and edgy. Adding a splash of color with African prints is always a good idea! These spectacular art works, mirror, and frames will add a special twist to your home decor. Apoti Lagos  loves to play with colors, this brand puts value on aesthetics using appealing designs and prints, which will definitely give your home and space an instant makeover.

Cushion Hallow by Apoti Lagos on bellafricanan marketplace
Cushion Hallow by Apoti Lagos on bellafricana Marketplace
Some general tips for using African Fabrics in home decor
  • Start easy with a minimalistic color foundation, so that the prints and color of the decor can bounce off the plain palette and shine more.
  • Don’t try too hard to make a big splash with the prints, sometimes you can match 2-4 designs in different decor items; wall art, pillows, curtain, and lamps. The trick is to make sure these different fabrics all compliment each other.
  • Finally, resist the urge to use all the ankara home decor items you can find. It will most likely be the focal point of the room so don’t let things get confusing and tacky.
CONCLUSION

Africans inspired home decorative pieces comes in different patterns, designs and colors. You want to add fun, feel, aesthetics and balance using decorative pieces, then try these 5 fabulous home decorative items using African Fabric will help you achieve that. Click here to order for more and follow our instagram page @bell_fricana and @bellafricana shop.

 

Meet The Founder Of Ile Ila #Exclusive Interview

Hey there!

It’s been a minute. I just checked the date of my last published article and I myself was wowed! But hey! Let’s leave the past in the past shall we?

I was opportune to have an exclusive interview with the founder of an amazingly awesome furniture design brand called Ilé Ilà. The fist time I came across the brand was during the Bellafricana ACE Awards 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria, and I can remember just standing and staring at these sets of beautiful furniture made with Aso Oke. They were so colorful, looked very comfortable and all I could say to myself was, ”Oh wow, this is art!”

This interview gave me more insight to what this brands stands for, why they do what they do, and some of the challenges they face as a business. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you, Tosin Oshinowo, Founder and Creative Director of Ile Ila.

Please introduce yourself and your background

My name is Tosin Oshinowo. I am an Architect and run a design practice in Lagos, Nigeria called cmDesign Atelier. I am also a product designer and run a lifestyle furniture line called Ile Ila.

Tell us about your work. How did Ile Ila start?

Ile Ila, is a lifestyle furniture line designed and hand-made in Lagos, Nigeria. The brand design period-conscious furniture with a contemporary African content.

How did you come about the name and what does it mean?

Ilé-Ilà, means House of Lines in Yoruba,

What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?

Our business is focused on accent chairs and ottomans. we really focused on the celebration and capsulation of Culture.

Where do you get the inspiration for your products?

We get our inspiration from everything around us. In particular we have a thing for color and textures and there is so much variety with Aso Oke.

Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?

One of the first chairs I made is still in my home. It’s an assortment of purple and lilac Aso Oke. It is really is one of the reasons who I got into the idea of color combination.

What are some of the challenges you face in your business?

Biggest challenge has been scaling up of production due to capital costs of the carpentry machinery. Currently, production is slow due to the machinery available, if we can scale up we can reduce time and reduce production cost and pass this saving on the our customers.

Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?

Not at all. Because I have stayed in the realm of design and creativity both businesses feed off each other.

What is your most popular product?

It’s interesting but difficult to answer. different demographics like different things. All the chairs have done well but i can almost guess peoples preference if I know their background or gender. In terms of sales the Alaafia did exceptionally well.

Alaafia Rocker

 

To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?

We are all products of our experiences and exposures and it is this combination that is reflected in my work.

What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?

We really want to push international sales. right now it’s expensive to export and this pushes up the price. short term we want to add more furniture lines to the brand.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I don’t know how to tie gele….. and I hardly wear Aso Oke.

What profession would you be in if you weren’t in the Furniture Design industry?

I probably would have been a visual artist.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who wants to start their own business in your industry, what would it be?

Make sure you get your business properly registered and engage the services of an accountant from the start and make sure you pay your tax.

And finally, Here are some more images of pieces by Ilé-Ilà

Alaafia

ORUN-3

ORUN-2

Aparo

Connect with Tosin on Instagram @ile.ila or send an email to [email protected] or you can call, 08023789728.

Follow us on Instagram @bell_africana for more amazing creative indigenous brands, and to fine out more about the beauty of Africa.

The Asooke Inspired Brands You Should Know

Aso Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke also known as Aso-Ofi meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yoruba’s (the tribe of the southwest people in Nigeria, Africa).

The Yoruba’s are the second largest tribe in Nigeria after the Northerners. Aso Oke is a popular cloth that is worn on special occasions by the Yoruba’s usually for chieftancy, festivals, engagement, naming ceremony and other important events.

It is said that “the beauty of Aso-Oke comes out more when it is taken as Aso-Ebi (group of people e.g. friends, families e.t.c)”, however Bellafricana verified members through their creativity have changed the narrative and are showing the beauty of Aso-Oke in interior decorations, fashion, shoes, bags and many more. You should click here to read the culled history written.

Lets meet these amazing business owners and brands…

Meet Bayo Ademiluyi, founder Ty Tys Design (click images below)

Bayo Ademiluyi, founder of Ty Tys Designs bellafricana member

Mr Bayo Ademiluyi is a lawyer by profession and Head of Design at Ty-Tys. Design (an asooke inspired brand) A company that produces hand-made distinctive neckwear (i.e. ties, bowties), pocket squares, laptop bags, ladies’ tote bags, wall hangings and scarves using traditional African fabrics, predominantly aso-oke.

Ty tys Design draws inspiration quite extensively from the Nigeria heritage, being that the main raw material is sourced from within the country and the ethos of the business is based on local culture and heritage.

Asooke inspired brand Ty Tys Design asooke laptop bag made in Nigeria Bellafricana verifiedAsooke inspired brand Ty Tys Design asooke bow ties, ties made in Nigeria Bellafricana verified

 

 

 

 

 

Asooke inspired brand Ty Tys Design made in Nigeria Bellafricana verified asooke patchwork

Meet Gbemi Johnson, founder O’Eclat Designs (click images below)

Gbemi-Johnson founder Oeclat bellafricana founder, made in Nigeria quality bags

O’Eclat Designs (pronounced O-eyklah) is a derivative of Oluwagbemisola and Eclat which means Style, confidence, distinction etc. She wanted a name that is not entirely eponymous and would not be too much hassle to register as a business name.

O’Eclat Designs is a Nigerian ethical leather handbag and accessories design label, birthed in 2010 by Gbemi Johnson.

Oeclat Mila bag asooke inspired brand made in Nigeria Bellafricana verified Oeclat Mila bag asooke inspired brand made in Nigeria Bellafricana verified Oeclat Mila bag asooke inspired brand made in Nigeria Bellafricana verified

 

Meet Tunde Owolabi, founder Ethnik (click images below)

Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, an asooke inspired brand is about making aso oke accessible to the fashion-forward modern man and woman. Beyond accessibility and creating fashionable pieces for brand savvy trendsetter, Ethnik is about promoting culture and giving back to the community.

Ethnik believes that sustenance is the key to preserving our heritage. To this end, a core element of our social responsibility means we invest in our local artisans and create an enabling environment where they can continue to weave aso oke the way it is done traditionally, a skill that is passed down through generations.

Ethnik sneaker bellafricana verified asooke inspired brand made in NigeriaEthnik bucket bag bellafricana verified asooke inspired brand made in NigeriaEthnik by Tunde Owolabi laptop bag bellafricana verified asooke inspired brand made in Nigeria

Meet Tosin Oshinowo, founder Ile Ila (click images below)

Tosin Oshinowo, founder Ile Ila made in Nigeria furniture brand asooke inspired brand bellafricana verified

Ilé Ilà (translated “House of Lines”), an asooke inspired brand was started by Tosin Oshinowo in 2017 to celebrate her native Yoruba culture. It is a lifestyle furniture-line designed and hand-made in Lagos, Nigeria. They design period-conscious furniture with a contemporary African content, hand-made with love, in Lagos Nigeria.

Tosin Oshinowo, an Architect behind the design and execution of the Maryland Mall has a natural affinity towards product design. She is particularly interested in the functionality of chairs, but also placing them in a Nigerian-African context.

Ile Ila Made in Nigeria Chairs asooke inspied brand bellafricana verified Ile Ila Made in Nigeria Chairs asooke inspied brand bellafricana verified

 

 

 

Ile Ila Made in Nigeria Chairs asooke inspied brand bellafricana verified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is a community without people? As for us at Bellafricana, we are so passionate about our league of talented creative members, and you should be too.

Interested in joining the community and getting your creative brand known by more customers? or know someone that should? Then email me at [email protected] cc [email protected] or call 08086363970.

CLICK TO BECOME BELLAFRICANA VERIFIED TODAY

For the love of asooke, have these products below

Oeclat Adire bag bellafricana verified made in Nigeria leather and adire bag

Moroks sneakers Moroks xpressions shoes asooke inspired brand made in Nigeria bellafricana verified

What really is this Bellafricana about? Bellafricana is the leading platform that empowers, supports and provides creative Indigenous Businesses with a platform to showcase their business and connect to their global consumers looking to patronise and trade with them.

Need quality creative products, think bellafricana!

What is your Mission: To Make Finding Quality Indigenous Businesses Easier.

But Why: We noticed a vast increase in the number of unique quality creative products made in Nigeria (Africa) but noticed a huge gap between local creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs and consumers.

Hence, we created this platform to bridge that gap. What better way than through online, which gives it a global opportunity.

Click here to Learn more about how to grow Your Unique Indigenous Business with Bellafricana

What if I just want to advertise on bellafricana website/newsletter? : That’s totally possible, just email [email protected], cc [email protected] or call 08086363970

NEPC cannot do it alone, we are the export we seek

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) truly cannot do it alone, we are the export we seek.

I always hear of small businesses wanting to start exporting.

Interestingly, some are yet to even grow capacity enough to serve Ibadan not to talk of Lagos, then Nigeria, then Intra-trade and International trade.

I mean, I get it and in fact it’s the right thing to have the end goal in mind or have a bigger market in mind.

Yes, even here at Bellafricana our dream is that one day, every one of our verified members will be selling to consumers globally, but realistically we also say let’s start with more consumers locally and then grow a sustainable brand with global demands.

However, have you ever thought to think that you are the export you seek (wait I am getting somewhere, don’t rush off, keep reading).

When you are travelling out of the country, do you load your box with proudly Made in Nigeria attires, accessories etc asides your food gifts??

Or am I reaching too high? Ok ask yourself this: you Nigerian business owner, footwear brand owner, etc do you patronize other fashion, accessories, lifestyle… brand owners? .

When last did you consciously decide to wear Nigerian?

I am not talking about the buyers here for now, I am talking about you growing a business locally in Nigeria, producing locally etc.

You say you want to make more sales, are you supporting your fellow MSME?

You say NEPC should help you, you want to export because they have a mandate for non oil export?
Do you realise the number of people unrealistically waiting for NEPC??

I always and will always say, at Bellafricana we don’t believe in waiting for the government, we believe in creating ideas that will improve the economy

Then you will see our leaders or MDs travelling out of Nigeria for various reasons suited up, what happened to our proudly Made/sewn in Nigeria attires please?? .

That’s why I respect Mr Olusegun Awolowo a lot, he genuinely wears Nigerian made and I have seen him personally buy from SMEs even if they are willing to dash him their products. As the CEO of NEPC, no not really, he doesn’t have to wear Nigerian attires, but he chooses to.

So today, as a champion of quality creative Indigenous businesses, I challenge you to remember that WE ARE THE EXPORT WE SEEK.

Dear producer, buy from other brands as much as you want to be bought from,

Dear consumers, patronize more Indigenous brands just because you are a #Bellafricanafamily.

Here are some attires and products to buy for your next trip (click image to go to business page);

Danfo adire print by adire lounge bellafricana verified
Danfo adire print by adire lounge

 

Moroks Xpression bellafricana verified
Akanmu – Moroks Xpression

 

Circa 64 earrings bellafricana verified made in Nigeria jewellery
Circa 64 earrings

 

Ethnik sneaker bellafricana verified made in Nigeria
Ethnik sneaker

 

Mona Matthews shoes and bags made in Nigeria bellafricana verified
Mona Matthews shoes and bags
African things back pack bellafricana verified
African things backpack

 

 

Marte Egele yellow bag bellafricana verified
Marte Egele yellow bag

When travelling, not every time food gifts to take along, sometimes product gifts (click image to page)

Asologe adire fabrics bellafricana verified
Asologe adire fabrics

 

 

African black soap by Sahara sunrise
African black soap by Sahara sunrise

 

Hibiscus naturals shower gel made in Nigeria Bellafricana NEPC
Hibiscus naturals shower gel

 

 

Ddee purses customised Made in Nigeria Bellafricana NEPC
Ddee purses customised

Visit www.bellafricana.com for more creative products or check out the instagram page @bell_africana

A Made in Nigeria Chair that gives Inspiration – Ile Ila

Have you ever heard this popular saying by Shirley Chisholm that says “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”?

Well I say, scratch the folding chair, bring an Ile ila chair, a proudly made in Nigeria chair that gives inspiration.

A wise man once said, ideas rule the world (Sam Adeyemi), and I couldn’t agree more.

Without ideas, you cannot create solutions to problems, you cannot even call yourself a creative, talk less an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Well, if ideas truly rule the world, where do you get inspiration from?

Most times I personally like to take a break from my space, go for exhibition, stay cations, vacations….you might even agree that an idea can fall on you anywhere!

Even when in the shower, yes? but you have never heard of you getting ideas from a chair.. right?

So I am here to introduce to you a proudly made in Nigeria chair by ILE ILA.

Wooosh, trust me, you will soon want to own yours!

First click let’s start by meeting the amazingly talented bellafricana verified founder, Tosin Oshinowo…

Here are some of the Ile Ila chairs;

ilé-Ilà_House-of-Lines-adekunle-gold_bellafricana verified

Ile ila sofa bellafricana verified

Ile Ila chair and stool bellafricana verifiedIle ila chair and stool bellafricana verified made in Nigeria chair furniture brand Ile Ila inspirational chair bellafricana verified asooke chair Ile Ila inspirational chair bellafricana verified asooke chair

To contact Tosin of Ile Ila (mention you found her via Bellafricana),

Email: [email protected],

Call: 08023190946

Visit: www.ile-ila.com

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