September 2021

SWED Farms was created by 3 partners in 2015. They plan to cultivate and export ginger and turmeric however due to bans by the government, as a result of disease to ginger plants, the company is currently cultivating turmeric at a much larger scale. The farm rests on 100 hectares of land in Bombay town. The first yield of the farm is expected by February 2018. Due to its success in establishing and running the farm, the regional government awarded it further was offered 200 hectares more farmland. The company has 50 full-time employees of which 4 are female. The number of part-time employees (daily laborers) is as high as 200 hundred, with more than 90% of them women. The company does quite a lot to help the nearby communities by providing training on how to harvest turmeric for free. Doing such community development work is a critical engagement the company has to prove to gain market in Scandinavia. The founders of the company developed a business plan to help develop the company. But Solomon says, rarely do plans go according to plan and they have made changes since they’ve started.

Sabahar began in 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the home of its Founder, Kathy Marshall, and her family. The humble workshop employed one weaver, a couple of women doing natural dyeing, and a dream to introduce silk production and processing into Ethiopia. Through the years, our growth has been steady. Almost 20 years later, we are proud that we directly employ 98 people at our workshop, work with 75 weavers in their homes, cooperate with three weaving workshops, and provide part-time employment for hundreds of spinners and silk producers.  Sabahar produces towels, table linens, accessories, bath mats, cushions, blankets, throws, scarves, and shawls.  In 2022, we exported more than 55,000 items and sold about 25,000 products locally. Our average monthly production is about 8,000 pieces. Sabahar’s textiles can now be found throughout the world as we export to more than 25 companies in almost twenty different countries.Our passion is not just to ensure hand weaving and spinning livelihoods are respected and preserved, but more importantly, to strengthen and diversify traditional skills so they will still be relevant for years to come. This means practical innovation and investment in technologies and capacity building for artisans, as well as ensuring our products are globally available, competitive, and desired. The highest quality possible in terms of materials and workmanship is our promise to our customers. In addition, we are committed to sustainable, transparent, and responsible production practices. In our effort to be a model of eco-friendly manufacturing, we use innovations such as bio-gas to produce fuel for our dyeing department, solar heating of water,  repurposing of textile wastes, and treatment and recycling of water discharge from the dyeing process. For More Information: https://sabahar.com/

Momona Furniture and Interior Solutions: Crafting Spaces, Empowering WomenFive years ago, Momona Furniture and Interior Solutions emerged as a beacon of creativity and functionality in the world of furniture and interior design. Specializing in crafting exquisite office and household furniture alongside innovative interior solutions, the company has transformed spaces into living works of art. With a visionary top management team comprising three individuals, including two remarkable women, and supported by a dedicated staff of 15 full-time and 5 part-time employees, Momona Furniture continues to redefine living and working environments.Creative Excellence in Furniture and Design: Momona Furniture is not just a manufacturer; it’s an artisan of comfort and style. From elegant office desks that inspire productivity to cozy household furniture that welcomes warmth, their creations are a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Beyond furniture, the company’s design-based interior functions breathe life into spaces, ensuring a harmonious blend of aesthetics and utility.Empowering Women in Leadership: At the helm of Momona Furniture’s success are three exceptional leaders. Notably, two of these leaders are women who exemplify resilience and innovation. Their presence not only enriches the company’s perspective but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring women leaders in the industry.The Heartbeat of a Dedicated Team: Behind every product and design, there’s a passionate team of 15 full-time employees and 5 part-time contributors. Their dedication fuels the company’s vision, bringing each project to life with unwavering commitment and attention to detail. Their collective expertise ensures that every piece of furniture and every design solution bears the mark of quality that Momona Furniture is renowned for.As Momona Furniture and Interior Solutions continues to weave its narrative of success, it remains committed to its core principles of excellence, innovation, and empowerment. With an unwavering dedication to crafting spaces that resonate with beauty and functionality, the company stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership, creativity, and the collaboration of talented minds.

Kalos Confectioneries was founded in 2004. Kalos which means nice or beautiful in Greek produces cakes and biscuits. The company is a sole proprietorship. Yodit did not receive any support when she started the company. The company’s vision is to be the number-one confectionery manufacturer and chain shop in East Africa. The mission of the company is to manufacture quality confectioneries in a socially responsible manner and reach the entire East Africa through high-quality service so as to add felicity to our customers. Kalos has 20 full-time employees of which 16 are women. In addition, there are 10 part-time employees of which 6 are women. There are 4 top-manager of which 3 are women. There is one externally hired staff member. That is the accountant. He is ACCA-credited and worked for Kalos before he started his own company. The company is working with 4 suppliers for the main ingredients of the products. There are many more companies that they work with for special ingredients.