ApiAfrique

Know the story

"AT APIAFRIQUE, WE CHOOSE TO DO BUSINESS THAT CHANGES THE WORLD.WE TAKE CARE TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN ALL OF OUR ACTIONS, SMALL AND LARGE"

ApiAfrique is a social business focused on zero waste. In 2010, Marina Gning and Jeanne-Aurélie Delaunay created ApiNapi. After 10 years working in the cinema industry, they wanted to raise awareness about washable nappies and natural care products for babies. They opened their shop in Paris.

Two years later, Marianne Varale stepped into their shop. Former cinema costume designer, she also designed washable hygiene products. They got on right away! Marianne joined the team and started developing prototypes. For several years, Marina travelled to Senegal with her husband, Abdoulaye. She quickly realized that the products she sold in France were very well suited to Senegal. ApiAfrique was born.

Abdoulaye Gning joined the project and the team decided to get help. ApiAfrique was selected by the HEC incubator and the Antropia program of Essec. In 2016, Marina and Abdoulaye moved to Senegal and ApiAfrique started its activities! Today, ApiAfrique is a Senegalese social business that offers solutions that are innovative, local, and respectful of the environment for women and baby care.

ApiAfrique’s vision: promote sustainable solutions that contribute to women’s emancipation, reduce waste, fight against exclusion, and create jobs. We want todistribute practices and products that respect nature and humans alike, through activities that are sustainable and create employment.

 

Reduce Waste From its birth to the age of 1 and a half, a baby uses on average 5,000 disposable nappies. This represents 1 ton of waste that takes 450 years to biodegrade. And it is the same for sanitary towels for women: 8,000 in a lifetime, 50 chemical products and a ton of waste!
Protect Health There is no regulation on disposable sanitary towels and the manufacturers are reluctant to reveal the exact composition. On average they contain up to 50 chemical products!For many women, these disposable products lead to discomfort and health issues over the short and long term.
Foster Women's Empowerment Hidden work has too much impact on women and their independence. Being in Senegal made ApiAfrique able to create safe and legal work with good working conditions for women who have access to new position and work possibilities.

ApiAfrique Collection