In a sunlit laboratory in Ethiopia, golden oil drips steadily from a stainless steel extractor each drop representing Addis Ababa’s rich botanical heritage and a growing opportunity in the global clean beauty market.
At the center of this transformation is Feven Tsehaye, founder and CEO of Chaka Origins, a social enterprise focused on producing high-end cosmetic oils, herbal teas, and spices from indigenous plants.
Seven years after its launch, the company is building a reputation for combining traditional knowledge with modern processing techniques, while working directly with rural farming communities.
“We work in forest areas together with communities,” Tsehaye said. “We collect raw materials from them, process them into oils and teas, and preserve knowledge passed down through generations.”
Unlike mass-produced cosmetics, Chaka Origins operates within agroforestry systems, sourcing ingredients sustainably from forest ecosystems without deforestation. This approach not only protects biodiversity but also creates income for local farmers.
Across rural Ethiopia, communities harvest botanicals such as red berries, herbs, and spices, which are later processed into premium products. The model also includes training programs to help farmers adapt to climate change and environmental pressures.
Experts say the timing is critical. According to Dr. Yonas Chebude of Addis Ababa University, global demand is shifting toward organic and chemical-free products.
“Consumers are demanding more reliable and organic products,” he said. “That is why we have the advantage, we are completely organic.”
This demand is already visible in local markets. At the Entoto Gallery, shop manager Edom Mersha says customers quickly embrace the products after testing them.
“People love the product, we run out of stock quickly,” she noted.
Despite its relatively small team, Chaka Origins is looking beyond Ethiopia. Tsehaye envisions expanding across Africa, sourcing and developing products from different regions of the continent.
“We want to build more African indigenous products and create a wider range across the continent,” she said.
As Ethiopia positions itself in the global natural products market, initiatives like Chaka Origins highlight how local resources, when sustainably managed, can drive both economic growth and environmental preservation.
