Casablanca: Mr. Anil Padia, Programme Director of ORUN X Designers, an initiative spearheaded by the Africa Currency Network, has announced that the platform is empowering African artisans to drive production, innovation, and global market access. Padia shared these insights with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the Heirs of Greatness Day event in Casablanca, Morocco, marking the official launch of ORUN X Designers. The initiative focuses on strengthening Africa’s cultural and creative industries.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative seeks to create sustainable creative ecosystems by drawing from Africa’s cultural roots, restoring the dignity of artisans, and connecting heritage-driven craftsmanship to international demand through people-focused, long-term value creation. The platform’s name, ‘ORUN’, is derived from a concept rooted in Yoruba mythology, meaning ‘origin’, which is fundamental to the initiative’s philosophy. Padia emphasized the importance of understanding and innovating from African roots, stating, “Everything we need is already on this continent.”
The initiative aims to rectify long-standing imbalances in creative supply chains by elevating artisans from the margins to the foundation of value creation. “Artisans should not remain at the bottom of the supply chain. They must be the foundations of everything we are doing,” Padia asserted. The Heirs of Greatness Day was conceived as a celebration of Africa’s diverse craft and knowledge systems, with human dignity at its core.
ORUN X Designers also endeavors to restore the social and economic value historically associated with artists and artisans before the advent of mass industrialization. Padia highlighted the importance of artisanal techniques in transmitting generational memory and knowledge. The initiative aims to bridge the gap created by modern supply chains that often disconnect the maker from the product by recognizing the artisan, the process, and the final creation as a single ecosystem.
Addressing concerns about the creative sector’s limited contribution to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Padia noted that global consumer trends are shifting towards authenticity over mass-produced goods, presenting opportunities for African craftsmanship. He cautioned against viewing GDP as the sole measure of success, emphasizing that it does not fully capture human value or quality of life. Instead, ORUN X Designers focuses on people-centered impact metrics.
Looking to the future, Padia revealed plans to onboard at least 50 designers and artisans by 2030 through various engagement models, including supporting independent creative enterprises, forming production partnerships, and developing products within the ORUN ecosystem for its marketplace. The selection process will consider designers’ economic, historical, and environmental impact within their communities, reflecting the initiative’s holistic approach.
Padia concluded by stating that ORUN X Designers represents a long-term effort to build a sustainable creative economy that connects African heritage to international markets without compromising dignity or identity. “This is about building value that lasts; culturally, economically, and humanly,” he said.