Who We Are
WFTO AME (Africa, Middle East, and Türkiye) is the regional network for the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Established in 2007,
we lead a growing network of enterprises—ranging from small-scale cooperatives to self-help groups—across various value chains in the region.
Our members are dedicated to integrating fair, ethical, and sustainable production practices into their businesses.
Our mission is to support enterprises in adopting these practices and becoming recognized as fair trade organizations.
We connect fair trade enterprises with local, regional, and international markets, providing a platform for sharing knowledge,
networking, and mutual learning. With members in over 20 countries, WFTO AME
also raises awareness, engages in advocacy, influences policy, and conducts research to highlight the
impact of fair trade on producers, workers, communities, and the environment.
Together, we are building a fair, equitable, and sustainable world.
What We Stand For
As the WFTO regional network for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye, WFTO AME is dedicated to shaping a future where enterprises in our region are fair, ethical, and sustainable. We strive to balance profit with the well-being of people and the planet. We focus on:-
- Sustainable practices, growth, job creation, and community empowerment reflected in the 10 principles of Fair Trade.
knowledge, good practices sharing, use of technology, and know how to support sustainable production and livelihoods. - Connection between consumers and fair-trade products, brand and producers.
- Advocacy for integrating fair, ethical, and sustainable products and services into supply chains and incentivizing the world to adopt sustainable practices.
Vision
WFTO AME envisions a local and global trade system
where enterprises, communities and the planet
flourish through fair and sustainable practices.
Mission
The mission of WFTO AME is grow a movement of fair trade enterprises
in Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye that cares for the planet and
guarantees decent livelihoods for small scale producers and workers.
Strategic Goals
We seek to achieve our mission through: -Supporting enterprises to adopt fair, ethical and sustainable production and business practices and to become recognized as fair trade organizations; Connecting fair trade enterprises with markets at local, regional and international level; Provide a platform where fair trade enterprises can share knowledge, learn from each other and network; Raising awareness of fair trade enterprises with different audiences through strong campaigns, events and constant communication; Influence advocacy and policy making to create policies and regulatory frameworks that are supportive of fair, ethical and sustainable producers and businesses as well as responsible consumption practices and Research and demonstrate the impact of fair trade on producers, workers, communities and the environment.
Core Values
Inclusivity: We celebrate our diversity and respect all people, cultures, traditions, opinions, and perspectives.
Fairness: We treat each other with fairness and respect, aspiring for equal access to resources and opportunities for all.
Sustainability : We promote the efficient and ethical use of resources, while preserving the environment and driving socio-economic and community development.
Learning and Innovation : As a learning institution, we invest in creativity, exploring new ideas and approaches, and fostering continuous learning
Quality: We strive to deliver high-quality products, excellent services, and programs that consistently meet or exceed the needs of our members, partners, and customers.
OUR MILESTONE
1970 & 80s
Fair Trade Enterprises worldwide began to meet
informally in conferences.
1991
At the IFAT Conference held in Ireland Kilkenny, Ireland, producers from the global south acquire voting rights. Mr. Deo Kafwa of Nyumba Ya Sanaa, Tanzania, elected to serve on the committee to discuss the opening up of IFAT membership to producers from the global south.
1995
The first IFAT Conference to be held on the global south, in Ooty India, during which IFAT constitution was formally adopted. IFAF Secretariat relocated to UK.
Mr. Fredrick Masinde of Undugu Fair Trade replaced Peter Abong Nge of Prescraft Cameroon as Africa’s IFAT representative.
1999
Fredrick Masinde of Undugu Fair Trade Kenya election as the first IFAT President from global south, during IFAT Conference held in Milan, Italy.
2006
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA) is founded as Regional Network for WFTO for Africa and registered in Nairobi, Kenya as a limited company. Among the organizations that played leading role towards the establishment of COFTA include Gatsby Kenya, KICK Trading (Kenya), Machakos Cooperative (Kenya), Trinity Jewellery (Kenya), Bombolulu Workshops (Kenya), Undugu Fair Trade (Kenya), Alternative Trade Network (Nigeria), Mikono (Tanzania) and Getrade (Ghana). Regional Meeting held in Accra, Ghana.
2008
The first Regional Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, followed by Arusha, Tanzania, Cairo, Egypt Manzini, Swaziland and Arusha, Tanzania.
2011
Kenya host WFTO International Fair Trade Summit in Mombasa, Kenya, on behalf of the WFTO Pacific Region.
1989
International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) and European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) Founded. Producers from the global south only allowed to attend meetings as observers and upon invitations.
1993
Producers from Africa and the Middle East as well as in the rest of the global south acquire membership and voting rights in IFAT. First IFAT Secretariat established and hosted by Ten Thousand Villages USA.
Among the first producers from the region to join IFAT include: –
• Prescraft of Cameroon
• Nyumba Ya Sanaa of Tanzania
• Trinity Jewellery of Kenya
• NAWOU of Uganda
• Bombolulu Workshops of Kenya
• Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society, Palestine
Mr. Peter Ngeh of Prescraft Cameroon replaced Mr. Deo Kafwa of Nyumba Ya Sanaa as the African representative on the IFAT Committee.
1996
Efforts to organize as country/regional networks begin with the first Africa meeting of IFAT members meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya. Countries represented include Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and the host Kenya.
2007
International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) becomes World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) during the conference held in Belgium. Moctar Fall of Agroceed, Senegal elected as Regional Representative to WFTO, taking over from Shemshak Gompil of Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria.
2007
Legal status of COFTA is changed from limited company to a NGO. Mr. Deo Kafwa of Mikono, Tanzania, elected as the first Chair of COFTA
2011
COFTA becomes WFTO Africa as part of the rebranding by WFTO across all regions.
2012-2024
Consolidation and stabilization of the Regional Network. Lawrence Muze of Kwanza Collection, Tanzania takes over as the Chair of the Board. Organizational Re-engineering Process and the development of new Strategic Plan- 2024-2028.
Hisham El Gazaar of Yadawee, Egypt, takes over as the Chair of the Board.
Our Board
Our Board is composed of diverse members from our organization who help set and direct our strategic vision, support our members, and grow the fair trade movement in Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye. The current board members assumed office between November 2023 and February 2024, and we are proud to have an unprecedented, predominantly female team.
HISHAM EL GAZZAR
Chair to the Board
Hisham El Gazzar is the founder and CEO of Yadawee, a fair trade social enterprise based in Egypt, which specializes on Egyptian handicrafts. A holder of a degree in Mass Communication, Hisham brings to the Board and the fair trade movement in the region over 17 years of experience of providing consultancy and training services empowering micro, small, and medium size manufacturers, and exporters in Egypt, specializing in home decoration, handicrafts, gift items, and home textiles. He has also engaged with a number of international organizations including Canadian Development Agency (CIDA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre ( ITC) among others focusing on the home decor and home textiles sectors.
SALLY KIMOTHO- SAWAYA
Secretary to the Board
Sally Kimotho- Sawaya is the Managing Director of Meru Herbs in Kenya. Meru Herbs, a member of WFTO, is a social enterprise that is focusing on the production of variety of sauces, spreads and herbal teas.
Sally holds Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Business and Sustainability with a focus on Social Entrepreneurship. She has been instrumental in profiling Meru Herbs onto the international market space, highlighting the critical role of women in sustainable development and leadership while fostering community growth and empowerment. She hopes to bring onto the Board and the fair trade movement in the region the voice of grassroot women.
FALIANJA MANOARIVELO SARIAKA
Vice Chair to the Board
Falianja Manoarivelo Sariaka is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Compliance Director at AKANJO, a fair trade textile company in Madagascar. Falianja is a PhD Student at the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar – her study/research is the adoption of CRS approach to contribute effectively to local development for developing countries such as Madagascar. In addition to serving as Board member of WFTO AME, Falianja is also servicing as Advisor and President of Groupement des Entreprises Franches et Partenaires (GEFP) – (Environment and Sustainable Development Commission).
Falianja brings to the Board and to the fair trade movement the French voice, knowledge on issue of compliance, especially in the textile sector and the unique experiences from Madagascar, which is currently a leading country in the region on matters WFTO membership growth.
MARGARET DEAR KASANDE KÓBEL
Treasurer to the Board
Margaret Dear Kasande Kóbel is the Crafts Production and Marketing Manager for Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Centre Ltd (RSTC) in Uganda. RSTC, which is a member of WFTO, is a social enterprise that works with an association of predominantly women artisans as well as famers in coffee, cocoa and cotton value chains in Rwenzori Region in Western Uganda, providing them with the necessary support to enhance sustainable production and livelihoods.
Margaret is a holder of Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, and is the force behind the on going production and marketing revolution and growth that continue to benefit thousands of women artisans that are part of RSTC. Although young and newcomer in the Fair Trade movement, Margaret is keen to bring to the Board and to the fair trade movement in the region the much needed voice of the young people.
PROF ITIR ERHART
Board Member
Prof Itır Erhart is Board Member of Inogar Cooperative I, one of the WFTO members from Türkiye. A professor of philosophy , languages and literature and current Dean of the Faculty of Communication at the University of Bilgi, Türkiye, Prof Erhart brings to the Board and to the fair trade movement in the region the experiences from both academia as well as working with different organizations and initiatives to support a cause.
Outside the academic work, Prf. Erhart is the co-founder of Adım Adım (Step by Step), a volunteer-based organization that promotes charitable giving through the sponsorship of athletes in local sports events. She is also a co-founded Açık Açık a platform which unites donors with NGOs and an Ashoka Fellow and mong others.
PATIENCE TREVE
Board Member
Patience Treve (Mrs) is the Patience Treve, Human Resource Director/General Manager/Capacity Building/Volunteer Support at Global Mamas in Ghana. A holder of Bachelors of Business Management, Patience has had an illustrious journey with Global Mamas dating back to 2003. She has been at the forefront in designing programmes that continue to help mentor and empower Mamas towards sustainable livelihoods.
Patience hopes to bring to the Board and the fair trade movement in the region experience on human resource management and how fair trade organizations can transform lives of people including those working in the organization.
IZABELA ERSAHIN
Board Member
Izabela Szeliga Erşahin is the founder & designer of Bebemoss and Sector7, fair trade
social enterprises based in Türkiye, empowering local and refugee women through
flexible work opportunities to mothers in need, many being Syrian refugees as well as
low-income Türkiye women who have traditionally been locked out of the job market.
A Social Entrepreneur and Activist, Izabela brings to the Board and the fair trade
movement in the region hands-on experience e-commerce and how enterprises can
leverage the various digital platforms to support business growth. Izabela also leads
newly established Sustainable Journey, a nonprofit organization focused on social
impact and sustainability, bridging the private sector and small underserved women
producer groups.
PIETER SWART
Regional Representative to WFTO Global Board
Pieter Swart is the co-owner of Turqle Trading, one of the fair trade enterprises from South Africa that specialises on sauces. With a background on entrepreneurship and social enterprise development and over 30 years work in development field, Pieter has had the opportunity to serve on various leadership positions within the fair trade movement including the Board of WFTO AME and on the WFTO Global Board as the Regional Representative for Africa and the Middle East.
Pieter is a firm believer in “being the change you want to see in the world”. Fair Trade Enterprises provide the perfect home where this philosophy can be put into practice on a daily basis.
Meet the Team
Meet our dedicated and hardworking team, committed to collaborating with members to support and advance fair trade in the region.
BERNARD OUTAH
Secretariat – Regional Director
MUSA MPOFU
Project Officer
OBED TUM
Project Officer
DAVID OUADAOGO
Membership Support
DAVID NGATHO
Finance Support