"Design Africa" programme -- a springboard for top-end export

About five minutes ago the July/August issue of WIPO Magazine came out. It contains an article, "International Home Decoration Market Beckons Africa’s Designers", by Sylvie Castonguay (WIPO Magazine Editorial Team, Communications and Public Outreach Division). Among other things, this handsomely illustrated article explains the background to the Design Africa programme, which was launched in 2006 by Canada’s Trade Facilitation Office (TFO Canada) to assist African home decoration companies in reaching the international market place with some stunning items that have been crafted for the top end of the market. The article records that 19 SMEs in five countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and South Africa) are now part of the programme, adding that "The Design Africa brand serves as an example for creators on how to market their products internationally".