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Birgitte Balslev-Olesen and Pia Mouritsen are both very interested in unique designs. They also have years of passion for Africa, where they both lived for a number of years. That is the reason why they started the company Kabila trade, whose foundation in all simplicity is to import and sell African products.

With their experience, selecting the best African-quality products, they seem to have a natural interaction with elements of the Scandinavian design tradition.

Most products from Kabila trademarks are designed and manufactured by local entrepreneurs. It does work especially for women, with personal income increasing their economic independence and self-esteem. Women’s income also makes it possible to improve their children’s schooling and to improve living conditions in general for the family.

The two entrepreneurial women are using Formland Autumn 2009 MCH Herning Fairs to introduce Kabila trade and a range of unique African products, which are based in Roskilde markets.

Among the products are:
Star Trade – unique bags and baskets made from sisalplanten. Bags in different colors and patterns with beads of bone and hanke in leather.
Taste of Turkana – baskets made by Turkana women from northern Kenya. The material is leaves from Doumer-palm. Baskets have lids and can being used as a dig.
The Ark – custom-made pillows for the big Turkana basket and bags in three different sizes, all manufactured by koskind / leather.
Banana box – handmade angels in natural materials kalabasskåle and napkin rings, both with black and white patterns.
Products in soapstone – round dishes, large saltæg, large and small salt and small stylistic cat figurines in white, yellow and pink colors.
Le Collane di BETTA – “wild” jewelry, designed and manufactured in Kenya, particularly metal, horn, bone, glass, leather and fabric.
Mario Designs – unique jewelry designed by the German jewelry designer Marie Rose and made of mussel shell, bone / bone, horn, brass and coral.
Blue Hour – hand woven råsilkeduge simple, geometric embroidery, designed and manufactured by the Belgian textile designer Mia Geyser.
Paola Spataro – Italian design shawl produced in Kenya. The material is a blend of silk and jute / flax, and shawls with sleeve on one side.

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