Akhada Baskets empower Malawian artisans through eco-friendly crafts

Tisungane Thomson of Malawi founded Akhada Baskets after noticing a weaver in Salima struggling to find consistent markets for his handmade baskets.

Thomson wanted to connect talented artisans with reliable income, recognising the beauty and value of traditional Malawian weaving. She began by commissioning a sample basket from the weaver, which became the first product of Akhada Baskets, a name meaning "clan" or "family" in the Lhomwe language.

The business quickly grew from one weaver in 2018 to over 70 today, primarily women and young people working from their homes in Salima and Blantyre. Akhada Baskets combines traditional techniques with contemporary designs to create eco-friendly baskets, wall art, and furniture from locally sourced palm leaves. These products offer sustainable alternatives to plastic while preserving cultural heritage. Akhada Baskets now sells its goods in Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, parts of Europe, and China.

Recently, the company was selected as a finalist in Création Africa, a program that will provide business incubation overseen by the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa. Thomson plans to expand the business further by growing palm tree plantations to ensure a sustainable supply chain and create more opportunities for local farmers.