501(c)(3) Nonprofit | 100% of Profits Fund Education | Empowering 1,200+ Women Since 2007
Indego Africa—meaning "Independence, Development, and Governance"—was founded in 2007 by father-and-son duo Matt and Tom Mitro, inspired by 11 years spent living in Africa where they witnessed the extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness of female artisans alongside a devastating gap: talented women trapped in cycles of poverty, earning less than $1 per day, lacking access to markets to sell their goods or education to run successful businesses. In the aftermath of Rwanda's 1994 genocide—which left over 800,000 dead and women comprising 70% of the remaining population—many widowed or with imprisoned husbands became sole providers for their families while coping with HIV/AIDS, psychological trauma, and interrupted educations.
Matt, a project finance attorney, chose the nonprofit structure to emphasize the social mission while running the organization like a business, building organizational infrastructure and to-market opportunities first—a completely backward approach from traditional nonprofits that Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn noted gave them "potential to quickly expand globally." Starting with a partnership with Cocoki, a cooperative of 30 artisans in Kigali, Indego has grown to partner with over 1,200 women across Rwanda and Ghana, designing products in New York City that are handcrafted in Africa using traditional techniques, local materials, and genuine artisan skill. Products are sold through their e-commerce site, boutiques worldwide, and collaborations with major brands including Anthropologie, J.Crew, Jonathan Adler, and Madewell.
Indego invests 100% of profits from sales—coupled with grants and donations—into comprehensive education programs: business management, entrepreneurship, literacy, technology, health, and human rights training taught by local Rwandan and Ghanaian staff. In 2014, Indego launched the Leadership Academy in Kigali, and in 2015, artisans founded Igiceri Credit Union—now spanning 16+ cooperatives with 160+ members making hundreds of microloans. Results speak for themselves: 69% of artisan partners now earn over $1.50/day (versus 3% in 2010), 77% can afford school for all their children, 90% can afford healthcare, and many hold prominent leadership roles including president of Rwanda's Genocide Widows Association. Indego Africa proves that when women receive true market access and long-term skills training, they become independent businesswomen driving economic and social progress in their communities for generations to come.
