As the sun sets over Marrakech’s medina, the narrow streets of the souk are illuminated by wrought-iron lanterns. The air is rich with scents of saffron and mint, and the sound of water carriers’ cymbals echoes through the maze of alleyways.
Zineb Iraqi, a social entrepreneur and co-founder of the cooperative Maison Malake, finds inspiration in this UNESCO World Heritage site for her products.
Marrakech, at the historic crossroads of civilizations and trade routes, captivates Zineb. She says, “I often visit with my partners to explore new flavors and develop recipes.”
Since last year, Maison Malake has been producing spreads made from ground cashew nuts sourced from Guinea Conakry. All of their ingredients are 100% natural, organic, and rich in protein, antioxidants, copper, and magnesium. Cashew nuts are a versatile and nutritious food that are still underutilized.
The idea to promote and process cashew nuts arose during a visit to a cashew nut plantation in Guinea Conakry by Zineb and her partners, Ali Akdim, Aïcha Bammoun, and Said Abdelkader El Figuigui.
Believing in the potential of cashew nuts, the friends established a social cooperative named “Malake” which means “angel” in classical Arabic. They wanted to celebrate Africa’s diversity and richness through their actions. Zineb explains, “We have a love for Africa and wanted to make a meaningful impact.”
Maison Malake is dedicated to building sustainable partnerships across their value chain, from producers and suppliers to distributors and customers. The cooperative is focused on preserving ecosystems and encouraging innovation. Their products adhere to a “quality for all” strategy and are now available nationwide in Morocco.
The cooperative quickly established a presence in Morocco with the help of Eden Souk, the country’s top marketplace for organic and natural products. The platform is backed by the African Development Bank through the Azur Innovation Fund investment fund.
Eden Souk ensures fair payment to producers, as fair trade principles guarantee them better profits. Consumers seeking authentic, controlled products that support their well-being find reassurance in the origin and quality of items sold through a short distribution circuit with minimal environmental impact.
Zineb Iraqi embodies the spirit of Africa’s young entrepreneurs who are championing African knowledge and expertise from a South-South perspective. She aspires to spread the “Made in Africa” concept globally. With a smile, she envisions “a future in which Africa nurtures its youth and women to thrive.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).