Download here our
Impact report
Tree Planting Program
Protecting our Planet, Empowering our Communities
Each year, we plant 100,000 native trees across Northern Ghana as part of our commitment to tackling climate change and help restore biodiversity in forests under threat of deforestation and desertification. At the heart of this effort is our on-site nursery, where we are growing a diverse mix of fruit-bearing trees that support local nutrition, shea trees that drive economic empowerment through shea butter production, and species with medicinal and ecological benefits that sustain the environment. Working hand in hand with our communities, we provide hands-on training in sustainable techniques such as organic farming, grafting, and propagation. By nurturing these trees from seed to sapling, we ensure their growth while equipping farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to support long-term environmental and community resilience.
Clean Water Program
Flighting for clean water access for rural communities
At AYÉYA, our Clean Water Program is dedicated to bringing safe and reliable drinking water to rural communities. By building wells in the areas of greatest need and introducing innovative purification tablets, we ensure that local water sources are transformed into clean, drinkable water. Our goal is to provide 5 million daily servings of safe water annually, through the construction of 17 solar-powered water tanks over the next two years, each supporting 800 individuals daily. Water is life, and our mission is to ensure that every child grows healthy and every community can thrive. We are committed to sustainable solutions supporting the people and the environment. Together, we are building a future where access to clean water is not a privilege but a reality for all
Domestic Violence Program
Empowering Women, Breaking the Cycle of Violence
At AYÉYA, we are deeply committed to supporting women, fostering safe communities, and combating gender inequality. Our Domestic Violence Program focuses on breaking the cycle of abuse and mitigating gender-based violence. In Ghana, we have partnered with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), as we share a common goal of gender empowerment. DOVVSU offers critical assistance to victims of domestic violence, helping them access necessary support services to rebuild their lives. By addressing the needs of abuse survivors, we aim to restore dignity, empower individuals, and create lasting change for future generations. Through our gender policy, we actively fight inequality where we work, both in rural areas and in cities, ensuring that women have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Waste Product Program
Turning our own production waste into Sustainable Energy
At AYÉYA, sustainability and tradition go hand-in-hand. By preserving the traditional, handcrafted method of shea butter production, we ensure the employment of local workers instead of machines. However, this process has traditionally used firewood as an energy source. Our shea butter waste-to-energy project transforms the organic waste from our shea butter production process into sustainable charcoal briquettes, reducing our environmental impact while driving economic empowerment. By repurposing this valuable by-product, we eliminate the need for firewood, avoiding deforestation and lowering our carbon footprint. Our goal is for our entire shea butter facility to run on biofuel and charcoal derived from waste, creating a circular production process that supports both local communities and the environment.
We are reimagining what a beauty & lifestyle brand can be.
At AYÉYA, we believe beautiful and effective products can uplift our planet and the people who make them. We envision a brighter future for all by supporting communities and improving economic opportunities with integrity to their unique ways of being.
Olowo-n’djo’s Dedication to Empower and Serve
AYÉYA’s founder, “Olo”, began his journey in 2003 not only to create skincare and haircare products, but to catalyze positive change in his homeland of Togo, West Africa. Olo pioneered a socially conscious enterprise model that transcended borders and created a thriving business.
As a Community, We Can.
We celebrate the richness that diverse perspectives bring to cultures and communities. Together, we forge new identities rooted in sustainable business principles, driven by our unwavering dedication to elevating living standards globally.
Over 20 Years of Direct Partnership With Our African Communities Has Led Us Here Today.
AYÉYA’s impact is profound, touching the lives of over 350,000 people in West Africa. Of those, 302,728 directly involve fair-trade suppliers, employees, or participants in community programs funded by fair-trade sales.
As a community, we can.
Who We Are
AYÉYA, meaning "life in balance," was founded to empower communities. Our deep connections within West African communities allow us to create meaningful employment, support local economies by sourcing local ingredients, preserve cultural knowledge, and bring joy through beautiful, ethically crafted goods.
What We Do
We honor the generational knowledge of our 5,000+ cooperative members, enabling AYÉYA to offer artisan, handmade, and ethically crafted goods to a global audience. Our artisans receive above Fair Trade wages and access to free healthcare for their families in exchange for their cultural wisdom and expertise.
Why We Do It
Community is at the heart of AYÉYA's mission. Supporting women with sustainable wages helps break the cycles of economic injustice and gender inequality, empowering our cooperatives and communities to thrive.
Our Two Pivotal Areas
Aligned with AYÉYA's values of Service to Others and Joy is Our Nature, our giving focuses on improving water access through community well projects and promoting gender equality through programs addressing domestic and sexual violence, including the elimination of female genital mutilation (FGM).
