About Us

This is how we began

AYÉYA, meaning "life in balance," was founded in 2003 by Olowo-n’djo “Olo,” whose vision began in his homeland of Togo, West Africa. His goal was not just to create skincare and haircare products but to drive positive change in his community. With a wealth of insights into customer needs, Olo launched Alaffia, a socially conscious brand that has connected with over 302,728 families worldwide.

Inspired by this success, AYÉYA aims to empower communities while celebrating cultural heritage. Our journey began in Bolgatanga, Ghana, where we partnered with cooperatives across 12 villages, engaging over 5,000 female artisans. By sourcing ancestral ingredients and materials, we support local economies and preserve traditional craftsmanship.

Our impact now extends beyond West Africa to Latin America and the USA. This global reach allows us to offer ethically produced goods, each reflecting a rich legacy of tradition and wisdom.

At AYÉYA, we are redefining what a beauty and lifestyle brand can be. We believe that a life in balance involves nurturing the delicate connections between all forms of life through mindful daily rituals. By honoring our cultural roots, we promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable practices. Our core values — honor, gratitude, evolution, and shared vision — guide us as we celebrate the beauty and purity of every unique product.

We are committed to our ingredients and their transformation, fostering well-being from source to home. AYÉYA enhances daily rituals, enriches lives, and promotes joy and harmony — our vision of true balance.

Through the eyes of the community. Through the eyes of the consumer.
Closing gaps, creating legacy.

About

Olowon’djo’s

The path connector

Olowo-n’djo founded Alaffia in 2004 and AYÉYA in 2022 with a deep understanding of sustainable business and a commitment to improving living standards in West Africa. His efforts focus on poverty alleviation and gender equality through the fair trade of African resources.

Growing up in poverty in Togo, Olo was inspired by his mother, who instilled in him the importance of community. After dropping out of school for ten years, he earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational theory from the University of California, Davis.

While studying, he felt a strong desire to improve the living situation of communities like his own by providing a more sustainable and equitable future.

Today, Olo fights the injustices he faced — such as gender inequality and poverty in West Africa — through initiatives in sustainable healthcare, education, and the environment.

Olowon’djo’s Awards and recognitions

In recognition of his leadership in creating a women-centered social enterprise model, Olowo-n’djo has been...

Invited to the White House in 2019 to discuss the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, led by the White House Senior Adviser, the U.S. Department of State, and the National Security Council.
Recipient of the U.S. Secretary of State's 2018 Award for Corporate Excellence in Women's Economic Empowerment.
Honored as the Pacific Northwest EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018.
Named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 award.
Recognized as Whole Foods Market’s Whole Planet Foundation Trailblazer of the Year in 2017.
Appointed by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to a four-year term on the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA).

Dedication to empower and serve

By leveraging relationships with communities that encompass over 302,728 families worldwide and drawing on a network of knowledge from Latin America and the USA, AYÉYA was founded with a profound commitment to empower and uplift. This vision inspires AYÉYA to honor a virtuous cycle where business success goes hand-in-hand with meaningful social contributions.

Each AYÉYA product is meticulously crafted to lead the market, featuring ethically sourced materials, unique experiences, and sustainability at its core.

AYÉYA Community

Community Investment to lower climate impact

Fair trade premiums fund programs that are designed to mitigate and offset the carbon impact we have through unavoidable shipping and other carbon emitting business operations.

AYÉYA Village

Supporting Communities of African Women with Sustainable Wages

In West Africa, women and youth continue to lack economic opportunities and water access despite an abundant supply of natural resources and cultural knowledge valuable to the global market.