About us

AfriCraft Where Recycled Art Builds Better Futures

Founded in 2004, our organization is dedicated to empowering poor communities and youth through waste collection and recycling. We believe that by creating jobs, we can support a sustainable future and a circular economy.

Our story began in a small home workshop with just two employees, but today we work with over 200 artisans across Tanzania.

We strive to provide our artisans with the necessary skills and resources to create unique, high-quality products from recycled materials. Our artisans use their talents to turn trash into treasure and give it a second life.

At AfriCraft, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to receive a fair wage for their work.

As a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, we adhere to strict principles and practices that promote fair trade and sustainable development. When you shop at AfriCraft, you can support our mission and contribute to the economic development of marginalized communities in Tanzania.

Transforming Waste, Empowering Lives

Every item we create tells a story of transformation—of waste saved from landfills, of skills nurtured in local workshops, and of lives changed through opportunity. By combining creativity with environmental responsibility, we aim to inspire a new generation of eco-entrepreneurs who see value where others see waste. Our impact extends beyond products—it’s about dignity, hope, and a cleaner, fairer world for all.

key outcomes

What makes us diferent?

Our Vision

Our vision is a society in which young people take positive care of their environment and in which future prospects are created through motivated capacity building in the circular economy for a sustainable, self-determined life.

Our Focus

Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

Preserve – Culture – Community – Trade

Our Mission

Our aim is to develop and implement economically viable and replicable best practice examples by expanding production and generating income through recycling. The aim is to achieve a better standard of living through capacity building for young people.

The initiator of AfriCraft

Hello, my name is Meinolf Kuper, I am a business economist and health economist and I initiated AfriCraft in Tanzania in 2004. It was later founded as a non-profit NGO and also as a production and trading company. I have been involved in fair trade with Africa since 1981, building trade partnerships with African producers and partners on an equal footing.

Behind the foundation of AfriCraft are goals such as combining fair trade and environmental protection by producing and selling useful and beautiful products for daily use and for the design of the living environment from recycled materials.