Powered by People 

Location 
Nairobi, Kenya 

Programme 
Dela IV Accelerator  
in partnership with Ashoka

Website 
www.poweredbypeople.com 

 

Transforming the lives of artisans by connecting them to reliable and fair international markets 

The global fashion industry often overlooks the creators behind the products, with producers in emerging economies often trapped in poverty despite their talent and hard work. The majority of the population in Africa relies on the informal sector for employment, with artisans often struggling to earn a sustainable income. Within the arts and crafts industry, women make up over 80 per cent of micro-entrepreneurs, yet they receive a mere fraction of the income generated from the supply chain. 

To tackle this systemic issue, Powered by People is revolutionising the supply chain of local handmade crafts. It leverages the power of technology to bridge the gap between local artisans and international markets, enabling them to directly connect with buyers and receive fair compensation for their work.  

Powered By People is a business-to-business wholesale platform connecting small-batch producers and handmade brands from around the world to buyers in North America. It provides artisans increased visibility and access to international consumers, bypassing the traditional barriers that hinder their direct interaction. Local craftspeople can showcase their products online, engage with customers worldwide, and receive payments through credit card-to-mobile money transactions. 

Products on the platform are for the conscientious consumer — sustainably made, supporting equal access to markets and empowering artisan workers. Powered by People enables buyers to source differently (more sustainably and ethically) through easy product and producer discovery, curation, frictionless payments, logistics, and digital solutions.   

The impact of Powered by People's efforts speaks volumes. It has connected artisans from 70 countries, mostly residing in low-income communities, with buyers in North America and soon Europe. With 2,000 makers currently on their platform, the enterprise has already positively impacted the lives of over 400,000 individuals. 

Powered by People is transforming artisans' lives and challenging the norms of the global fashion industry. Through the power of technology and a deep commitment to fairness and inclusivity, the enterprise is paving the way to a more equitable and sustainable world, one artisan at a time. 

Programme support 

Through participation in Dela, Powered by People aims to scale the organisation significantly by developing a strong network of industry leaders and advisors in various fields, such as finance, philanthropy, technology, retail, logistics, and social entrepreneurship. This network will provide invaluable guidance as they expand sales, enhance maker-facing technology to bridge the digital divide and strengthen the compliance aspects of their business operations.