Olowo-n'djo Tchala

Olowo-n'djo Tchala is a globally recognized social entrepreneur and change-maker who founded Alaffia and Ayya, two mission-driven brands built on Fair Trade, sustainability, and community empowerment. Raised in poverty in rural Togo, Olo was inspired by his mother's resilience and returned to education after a ten-year break, ultimately earning a degree from UC Davis. His life's work has focused on ending systemic poverty and gender inequality by creating dignified employment and reinvesting in underserved communities. As co-founder and CEO of Alaffia, he built a vertically integrated fair-trade model that transformed women's cooperatives in West Africa and invested in maternal health, education, and reforestation, impacting over 250,000 lives. Under his leadership, Alaffia became a nationally recognized pioneer in social enterprise and ethical sourcing. In 2022, Olowo-ndjo founded Ayya as the next evolution of his work, designed to deepen transparency and impact by bringing the supply chain fully under founder ownership. With more than 90 percent plastic-free packaging, Ayya pairs elevated, eco-conscious product design with rigorous ethical sourcing, expanding on the values first proven through Alaffia. Together, Alaffia and Ayya reflect Olowo-ndjos enduring mission to break cycles of poverty and inequality through responsible, community-centered commerce. RECOGNITIONS INCLUDE: - U.S. Secretary of State Award for Women's Economic Empowerment - EY Entrepreneur of the Year (PNW) - Whole Planet Foundation Trailblazer of the Year - Appointee, U.S. Trade Advisory Committee on Africa - White House invitee, Women's Global Development & Prosperity Initiative