Strengthening Jewish Livelihoods Through Enterprise
The A.B.A Foundation (ABAF) recognizes that small and medium enterprises are the economic engine of Jewish communities across Africa. Jewish-owned businesses play a vital role in providing locally produced Jewish materials, reducing dependence on expensive imports, and ensuring that essential religious items remain accessible within the community.
Through our SME Support Program, ABAF empowers Jewish entrepreneurs by promoting their products, expanding their markets, and connecting them with customers, partners, and micro-funding opportunities.
WHY JEWISH SMEs MATTER
Jewish-owned small businesses:
*Ensure availability of Jewish ritual and cultural items locally
*Create employment within Jewish communities
*Reduce the cost of imported Judaica
*Support religious life and continuity
*Provide sustainable livelihoods (parnassah)
Economic strength is a foundation for community stability.
The ABAF Online Marketplace
ABAF powers an online marketplace on the AJV website where Jewish producers and sellers can meet buyers and transact seamlessly. On this platform, entrepreneurs can register and upload products at no cost, including: Tallitot, Kippot, Tallit katan, Mezuzot, Branded Jewish clothing, pendant, and jewelry, aa well as Kosher wine and food products.
The marketplace offers:
Local reach
Regional visibility
International access
This allows small producers to move from local selling to global trade.
CROSS-BORDER JEWISH TRADE
ABAF also supports Jewish-owned businesses that produce non-Jewish products, recognizing their importance in:
Household income
Community employment
Local economies
We promote:
Agricultural processing
Craft industries
Food production
Clothing and textile work
Creative services
Every honest business strengthens the community.
CASE STUDY: SHEHECHEYANU RED OIL Mill (AKWA IBOM, NIGERIA)
This project:
Produces red palm oil from locally grown palm fruit
Creates employment within the community
Generates steady income
Supports household livelihoods
Demonstrates how faith-based communities can operate commercial enterprises
ABAF helps:
Publicize the mill
Seek markets
Canvas for micro-funding
Connect buyers to producers
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MICRO-FUNDING SUPPORT
ABAF supports Jewish entrepreneurs by:
Promoting their ventures
Helping them reach customers
Identifying funding partners
Advocating for micro-financing
Communicating business potential to donors
We understand that:
Sustainable charity is business that works.
Our approach focuses on:
Revenue generation
Job creation
Long-term independence
Community-based production
CREATIVE ECONOMY & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ABAF also encourages Jewish professionals in:
Graphic design
Media production
Branding
Digital services
We do this by:
Patronizing their services
Recommending them to partners
Highlighting their work
Building a Jewish professional network
This strengthens both skills and income opportunities.
ECONOMIC SOLIDARITY: BUY JEWISH, SUPPORT JEWISH
ABAF advocates for:
Jews supporting Jewish-owned and Jewish-related enterprises.
This creates:
Stable markets
Reliable income
Business confidence