Iss ues and Challenges in the Crafts Sector

The stakes are high because, in many African countries, the handicraft sector accounts for 30 to 60 percent of the urban workforce and contributes 5 to 30 percent of GDP.

Given its contribution to the fight against poverty, the diversity of its activities, the flexibility and skills of its stakeholders, and its ability to provide income and opportunities to a large number of Africans, the artisanal sector is a vital sector that can serve as a real driver of economic growth on the continent.

This sector contributes to:

Creating sustainable self-employment opportunities for themselves or for others...

The creation of salaried jobs for other workers in the sector:

Creating rural jobs and strengthening the rural economy

Reducing underemployment and combating unemployment

Contributing to the generation of export revenue and the reduction of trade deficits

Economic growth in countries and poverty reduction

The pooling of both material and financial resources, the guidance and support provided by the public and private sectors, as well as the active participation of all stakeholders and technical and financial partners, are of paramount importance for the development of the crafts sector in Africa.

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📊 KEY FIGURES

28
Member countries
4
Regional zones
5
Organs
11
Ministers’ Conference

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☰ THE 5 ORGANS

  • 01Ministerial Conference
  • 02General Secretariat
  • 03 Regional Coordination
  • 04Committee of Experts
  • 05 National Branches

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

14
JUNE

Pan-African Handicrafts Summit

📍 Accra, Ghana

22
JULY

ECOWAS Artisans’ Forum

📍 Dakar, Senegal

09
SEPT

ISI International Exhibition

📍 Nairobi, Kenya

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