EFI is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) supports artisan producers, mostly women from marginalised communities, to benefit from trade and thrive in international and regional markets. Regional hubs in East and West Africa manage production, trade, and logistics processes, supported by EFI’s strong network of technical partners.
In fifteen years, more than ten countries and three continents, EFI has proven that producing and exporting superb quality products is eminently compatible with a fair wage, decent working conditions, job creation and resilient communities.
Social sustainability has always been at the heart of EFI activities. In managing complex and impact-focused supply chains, EFI draws on its expertise to offer a sustainable path for the wider fashion industry.
In Kenya, EFI is supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
In West Africa, EFI is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS) under the ACP – Business Friendly Programme.
In East Africa, we are operating in Kenya through two social entreprises based in Nairobi: Tujikuze and Artisan Fashion. In Kenya, we specialize in bag making and accessories production, mastering a diverse range of artisanal skills including screen printing, basket weaving with natural fibers like pineapple, banana, raffia, and sisal, beading, deadstock transformation, crochet/macrame, and metalwork. Our long lasting experience allows us to craft unique, high-quality products supporting sustainable practices and preserving cultural heritage.
Through its network of social enterprises and production hubs, EFI enables talented artists, designers, artisans and micro-producers in emerging economies to connect with discerning international brands in Fashion, Interiors, Culture and the Arts.
Our compliance scheme was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of local and international experts, and enables EFI’s production partners to implement decent and fair working conditions and systems, that are compliant with national and international regulations.
The Informal Sector
Dialogue and respect for community values is at the centre of our compliance scheme. The formal and informal sectors, often referred to as the ‘handworker economy’ are not faced with the same labour and traceability challenges. Our scheme has been adapted to the work in the informal sector too, where specific “minimum requirements” are defined in consultation with the heads of artisan groups and fair labour experts. We work with our partners hand in hand, to improve working conditions and raise worker’s living standards in the long term.
The EFI Code of Conduct
Based on the ILO’s conventions and recommendations and the Fair Labour Association’s code of conduct, our code of conduct is extensive, defining fair and decent working conditions and payment of a living wage. This ensures that workers can lift themselves out of poverty through their work. Social workers are embedded in the communities in which we work, and closely monitor the implementation of these standards.
Tujikuze – EFI social enterprise partner in Kenya – production order of 105,000 beaded tassels for Italian Company Conad Nord Ovest
Impact Assessment
To verify our work and social impact, we collect extensive data to carefully measure the impact of each order.
Before integrating a community into our value chain, we conduct a baseline impact assessment, to have a clear vision of their initial situation.
Order based assessments evaluate each stage of the manufacturing process to track the impact on the communities involved. A Social Impact Report is produced and verified by a third party before sharing with the brand. Brands often use this information in their marketing materials.
You can explore all of our brands impact assessment reports by clicking here.
The Ethical Fashion Initiative has worked for many years with African designers to promote local fashion talent and develop the industry on the continent.
With the aim of showcase the creativity and talent of African Designers, as well as encouraging manufacturing with African artisans, and supporting the development of export capacities.
Designer Accelerator Programme
The Design Mentorship programme has helped to put Africa on the global fashion map, through exhibiting African design at top industry events, and mentoring and guidance from industry experts.
Throughout 4 editions of the programme, EFI supported 16 brands from Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Benin, Burundi, Mali, South Africa.
Working with international fashion scouts, we have brought designers from the continent to events such as Vogue Fashion Night Out, Pitti l’Uomo, Paris Fashion Week and AltaRoma.
As part of World Cotton Day 2024, EFI organized a fashion show in Cotonou, Benin to highlight the talents of African designers, all united by a common passion for cotton.
10 African designers were tasked with sublimating cotton fiber through unique pieces. The fabrics used for these collections come from EFI’s production network in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali via Social enterprises CABES, Koyi Ba Ton and Espace Tissage Djougou. EFI supported these designers throughout the process, from the choice of fabrics to the finalization of the collections, thus strengthening the collaboration between designers and artisans.
An event of the Interntational Trade Center, with the support of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS) and the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP).
In Kenya, EFI is supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
In West Africa, EFI is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS) under the ACP – Business Friendly Programme.
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