Why Every Product in Our African Hampers Had to Be Made on the Continent!

The Concept

At Value Africa, we exist to shine a light on the incredible makers across the continent. So when we started creating our new Hampers & Gifts collection, we started with this concept:

If it’s not made or manufactured in Africa, it’s not going in the box.

No shortcuts. No “inspired by.”

Just the real thing.

Imported from Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town and wherever we could get our hands on product. We've finished with three products:

1. Value Africa: Discovery Hamper
2. Value Africa: Chocolates and Coffee Gift Box
3. Value Africa: Wellness Box: Tea and Dried Fruit

We wanted something that truly expressed what Value Africa stands for: discovery, storytelling, and supporting the brands building Africa’s future.

And as we started putting the hampers together, we noted down a few of lessons the process taught us along the way.

1. Everything Had to Be Ready to Enjoy

We wanted to make gifting effortless. You open the hamper or box and you’re instantly in the world of Afrikoa Chocolate, Spring Valley Coffee, Reel Fruit, Aduna, African Originals, and more.

That meant:

• No cocktails to mix

• No spirits to pair

• No cooking, blending, or shaking

Just pure, delicious “open and enjoy” moments.

2. Flavours That Actually Work Together

There’s nothing worse than a hamper that feels like a random collection, curating flavours takes thought. We made sure the products talked to each other. Everything complements something else. Flavour should feel like a journey, not a puzzle. 

Here's some of our thinking:

• Oúnjẹ Iru Rodo brings smoky heat and deep umami that needs something light and savoury to cling to, and Trigz Popped Chips are the perfect base. The result is a crunchy, spicy pairing that works.

• Spring Valley’s medium roast naturally carries cocoa and caramel notes that melt when enjoyed alongside Afrikoa’s chocolate. Warming and very indulgent balance of flavours.

• Aduna’s clean, botanical teas refresh the palate while Reel Fruit's toasted coconut chips add gentle sweetness and satisfying crunch. It’s a feel-good pairing that blends wellness with a touch of indulgence.

3. Sweet, Spicy, Savoury, Healthy, Indulgent - All of It

Africa is vibrant and layered, and we wanted our hampers to reflect that energy. We wanted to contrast:

• Spicy - Oúnjẹ Iru Rodo chilli crisp

• Sweet - Reel Fruit caramel coconut chips

• Savoury - Trigz popped corn chips

• Healthy - Aduna’s moringa + baobab + turmeric teas

• Indulgent - Afrikoa’s award-winning cocoa

It’s the whole spectrum of African flavour.

4. When Real-Life Challenges Hit (And Hit Hard)

One of things we constantly keep learning is that working with producers on the continent means you’re not just dealing with supply chains, you’re dealing with real people, real communities and national events that can shift plans overnight.

We’d planned to include two brilliant suppliers from Tanzania - businesses doing incredible work in local production. But after the elections, unrest meant factories had to pause operations. Some teams were sheltering in place just to stay safe.

And honestly? This is exactly why we do what we do.

These moments remind us that the brands we work with are building something far bigger than snacks, teas, coffee, or chocolate. They’re building stability, jobs, and manufacturing capability in environments that test them constantly. Their resilience is part of the story we want to tell.

5. Our Suppliers Are More Than Partners: they are Superheroes

We say this often at Value Africa "you lot are superheroes".

They’re building factories where others won’t. They’re training teams where opportunities are scarce. They’re navigating:

• unpredictable infrastructure

• political instability

• limited access to finance

• and the realities of growing a business in emerging markets

Yet they still produce world-class products. Good enough to sit proudly in take pride of place anywhere in the world.

Every time you choose one of our boxes, you’re supporting that courage, that ambition, that audacity.

Why These Hampers Matter

Because they’re not just gifts. They’re proof, tangible, delicious proof - that Africa’s manufacturing future is bright.

Each box is a celebration of:

• the brands choosing to produce at origin

• the farmers growing world-class ingredients

• the teams roasting, blending, crafting, packaging

• and the communities whose stories sit behind every sip and bite

From the Chocolate & Coffee Box to the Wellness Tea & Dried Fruit Box, right through to our Discovery Hamper, these gifts tell the story of a continent rising through creativity and craft.

And at Value Africa, we’re proud to play our part in sharing that story.i