Vibrant African music and francophone melodies emanated from Pangea Artisan Market and Café on Wednesday, August 2, as participants celebrated West African artisans and their achievements with a special USAID/West Africa Trade Hub day. Ten indigenous African artisans from Mali, Ghana, Niger and Burkina Faso brought their handcrafted goods, and their stories, to Washington D.C., to celebrate achievements made possible largely by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

It was a scene reminiscent of a traditional market place, with artisans and interested consumers admiring their products, their materials and quality amidst colorful woven tablecloths, recycled glass beaded necklaces, and fine leather bags, boxes and sandals. Beautiful pottery and wood carvings, with traditional designs, were picked up and passed around from buyer to buyer. “It’s a great opportunity for us to meet with our international clients, showcase our traditional crafts and share our culture,” said Nomoda Ebenizer Djaba, the owner of a bead making workshop in Ghana.

Also participating in the festivities was Vanessa Adams, the director of export business development. Vanessa has been working for WATH over the last four years, strengthening grassroots capabilities and knowledge and building lasting partnerships between West African artisans and the US. She has been living in Ghana for the last year.

The celebration of these talented entrepreneurs was complemented by a lunch discussion featuring Dan Runde, Demba Ba and Harry Lightfoot from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the West Africa Trade Hub’s sponsor, on the topic of African growth and development. Dan Runde discussed positive development trends that have resulted from widespread free trade with Africa, such as access to new markets, and international exchanges of ideas and technology, all made possible by AGOA.

Barriers to trade, such as lack of infrastructure, business planning and competitiveness, continue to exist and inhibit the full benefits of AGOA. However, it has been a positive and influential trade agreement which has greatly enhanced the livelihood and opportunity for so many African artisans and producers and allows them to engage in international markets and receive positive economic benefits.


To find out more about Pangea’s upcoming events, or to learn more about the different grassroots producers the IFC is working with in the developing world, please visit www.ifc.org/gbi.

Pangea is located at 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20433. Store operation hour: Mon-Fri 7:00am-7:00pm, Sat 9:00am-5:00pm. Store number: 202-8-PANGEA