ORUN X Designers Sets Out to Rebuild Africa’s Craft Economy From the Ground Up

Mr Anil Padia, Programme Director of ORUN X Designers, an Africa Currency Network initiative, says the platform empowers African artisans to lead production, innovation, and global market access.

Padia revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Heirs of Greatness Day in Casablanca, Morocco, where the initiative was officially announced. The event celebrated Africa’s cultural and creative industries, with a particular emphasis on preserving heritage-driven craftsmanship.

He explained that ORUN X Designers, inspired by Africa’s cultural roots, seeks to create sustainable creative ecosystems, restore artisans’ dignity, and connect African craftsmanship to global demand through people-centered, long-term value creation.

The initiative’s name is derived from “ORUN,” a Yoruba mythological concept that means “origin,” which Padia described as central to the platform’s philosophy.

“It is important for us to look at our roots, understand what we have and how we can innovate from there. Everything we need is already on this continent,” he said.

According to him, ORUN X Designers aims to address long-standing imbalances in creative supply chains by putting artisans at the centre of value creation.

“Artisans should not remain at the bottom of the supply chain. They must be the foundation of everything we are doing,” Padia added.

He stated that Heirs of Greatness Day was created to celebrate Africa’s diverse crafts, knowledge systems, and the people who make them possible, with human dignity at the heart of the programme.

Padia also stated that the initiative aims to restore the social and economic value that was traditionally associated with artists and artisans prior to the rise of mass industry.

“Creation with the hands carries memory, not just individual memory but generational memory,” he said, adding that artisanal skills transmit knowledge rooted in lived human experience.

He explained that modern supply chains frequently separate the maker from the product, a gap that ORUN X Designers hopes to bridge by recognising the artisan, the process, and the finished product as one interconnected ecosystem.

Padia addressed concerns about the creative sector’s limited contribution to Africa’s GDP, stating that global consumer trends now favour authenticity over mass-produced goods.

“International and niche clients are tired of standardised products. They are seeking authenticity,” he said.

However, he cautioned against using GDP as the sole indicator of success.

“GDP does not fully capture human value or quality of life. The real question is whether economic growth benefits the people creating the products,” Padia said.

He also stated that ORUN X Designers focusses on people-centered impact metrics rather than numerical targets.

Looking ahead, Padia stated that the initiative intends to onboard at least 50 designers and artisans by 2030 through a variety of engagement models, including supporting independent businesses, forming production partnerships, and developing products for the ORUN ecosystem’s marketplace.

He stated that the selection process will consider the designers’ economic, historical, and environmental impact in their communities.

“Our approach is holistic. We look at how creators affect their surroundings and how their work sustains value over time,” he said.

Padia described ORUN X Designers as a long-term effort to create a sustainable creative economy that connects African heritage to global markets while preserving identity and dignity.

“This is about building value that lasts – culturally, economically and humanly,” he said.