Kazi Yetu practices fair trade by manufacturing products locally and investing in local supply chains, creating economic opportunities in the Global South.
COMPANY HISTORY
Kazi Yetu, a social enterprise, was founded in 2018 by Tahira Nizari and Hendrik Buermann with a vision to uplift Africa’s economy. Their mission is to create complete end products in Tanzania, redistributing economic gain and building local value chains while generating valuable jobs. Both founders possess significant experience in development cooperation and empowering marginalized population groups.
COMPANY PROFILE
Today, Kazi Yetu operates as a B Corp company, with operations based in Tanzania and distribution from Germany. They focus on producing gourmet food and beverages made in East Africa. The company collaborates with emerging agricultural businesses, providing support in branding, product presentation, marketing, and sales, exclusively promoting traceable, fair, and sustainable products. Kazi Yetu runs an almost all-women factory in Dar es Salaam, offering long-term employment opportunities for women. They source ingredients from over 2,500 farmers, paying a premium price to improve livelihoods across the region. Their target market consists of conscious consumers seeking traceable, sustainable, and fair products.
PRODUCT PROFILE
Kazi Yetu’s unique product range includes sustainably grown, single origin teas blended with exotic spices and herbs from smallholder farmers in Tanzania and Zanzibar. The teas are packed by young women in their own factory in Dar es Salaam. All tea blends are completely natural, free from artificial or other flavorings, and are offered in biodegradable pyramid tea bags or loose leaf form. Currently, they offer eight distinct blends in Europe, with plans to expand their product range in the upcoming months.
IMPACT
Kazi Yetu practices fair trade by manufacturing products locally and investing in local supply chains, creating economic opportunities in the Global South. The company provides fair working conditions, offering wages 80% above the Tanzanian minimum wage and health insurance to employees and their children, with a focus on employing young women in vulnerable situations. They prioritize environmental protection by sourcing ingredients from organic producers and generating 50-60% of their factory’s energy from solar power. Additionally, Kazi Yetu promotes transparency through QR codes on their packaging, enabling customers to trace their product’s journey and understand its impact. Overall, their commitment to economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity makes them a remarkable catalyst for positive change in East Africa.