Artisan Accelerator Learning Summit

Artisan Supply Chain + Engagement

Daphne Kasambala is the founder and CEO of Meekono, a pan-African platform that enables craft and creative SMEs - predominantly women and youth-led - to access global markets through AI-driven product development, digital commerce and skills development. Her work is grounded in a belief that Africa’s creative economy holds significant potential for job creation, cultural preservation, and inclusive economic growth.

Her career spans investment banking, retail and e-commerce, and creative sector development across Europe and Africa, giving her a unique blend of commercial, operational, and cultural intuition that informs Meekono’s holistic approach. She brings experience across supply chains, product development, and international market expansion. Through Meekono, she supports enterprises across 20 African countries and works to build systems and partnerships that strengthen market access and enable more equitable participation in global value chains.

Cashflow Management for Artisan Businesses

Alex is a visionary entrepreneur and leader in Africa’s textile recycling and artisan ecosystem, with expertise in circular economy systems and sustainable fashion. He is the Co-founder and General Manager of Africa Collect Textiles Ltd (ACT) and serves on the Board of the Africa Collect Textiles Foundation, where he leads initiatives focused on textile waste collection, recycling, and repurposing while working with artisan networks to strengthen sustainable production systems, improve material sourcing, and create value from post-consumer textiles across the continent. He is also the founder of the Tujikuze Ethical Fashion Initiative, a social enterprise that supports communities and artisans through sustainable product creation, skills development, and inclusive economic opportunities within the creative economy.

His work focuses on applying circularity, entrepreneurship, and supply chain innovation to strengthen artisan-led industries and build more resilient creative ecosystems. He has contributed to a range of local and international forums, sharing insights on textiles, circularity, artisan value chains, and social entrepreneurship in Africa.

Policy + Regional Trade Opportunities

Jacinta is the Founder and Lead Consultant at In Trade Africa, a boutique consultancy firm specializing in Tax and Customs, with a strong focus on supporting regional integration across the African continent. Her work is particularly centered on supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and through her firm she provides strategic advisory services to regional and continental private sector platforms, shaping trade policy and influencing economic development agendas. She currently serves as the substantive Chief Executive Officer of the All-AfricaAssociation of Small andMedium Enterprises (AAASME), where she advocates for the advancement ofAfrican SMEs and their integration into continental and global value chains.

Artisan Supply Chain + Engagement

Ann is the founder of the fashion brand Kiko Romeo and an award winning designer widely recognized as a pioneer in the East African fashion industry. She holds over two decades of experience in sustainable fashion and development in Africa as well as earlier years in Europe. Ann is a  multi-lingual connector, inspirational leader, teacher, healer and creative thinker. She is passionate about using fashion to create good jobs and build understanding between communities and across social classes. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of design, business and brand building with the next generation of leaders in Africa.

Shipping + Logistics

Tarcious is a Nairobi-based Supply Chain, E-commerce, and Logistics professional with over 15 years of experience in procurement, production, packaging, exports, and international trade.

Over the years, he has managed shipments of handcrafted products to major U.S. retailers, including TJX Companies brands such as HomeGoods, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, as well as Nordstrom, Zales, and UN Women(UNTF).

His work has involved close collaboration with artisans, manufacturers, freight partners, and international buyers to build dependable supply chains and deliver products successfully to market. He is especially experienced in cross border logistics, inventory planning, go to market execution, supplier development, and helping artisan led businesses grow in a sustainable way.