African Handicrafts Buying Agent — Kenyan Artisan Supply to European Retail

Requirement

European home décor and lifestyle retailers seek a buying agent to source authentic African handicrafts for their product ranges. This $180,000 annual engagement covers product sourcing, quality control, and logistics coordination across multiple African origins. Product categories include woven baskets and textiles from Ghana and Rwanda, wooden carvings from Kenya and Tanzania, beaded items from South Africa, and ceramics from Morocco. Sourcing targets 5,000+ pieces annually across 50+ SKUs for catalog and store placement. We seek established buying agents with artisan network relationships, quality control capabilities, and export experience. Ideal partners have existing relationships with craft cooperatives, understand fair trade requirements, and can manage complex multi-origin consolidation. Compensation includes 15% commission on FOB value plus logistics management fees. Initial engagement is 12 months with renewal based on performance. Exclusivity for specific product categories negotiable. Retailers seek authentic African products with verified provenance and ethical sourcing credentials. The agent role bridges the gap between informal artisan production and formal retail requirements.