Tanzanian High Commissioner visits growing business on Ridley Road Market
A local woman, Edith Oyebade, welcomed the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Ridley Road Market to celebrate the growth of her market stall into a successful international business, with support from Hackney Council.
Edith set up her market stall in 2021 to sell organic produce from her family’s farm, where she grew up, in Tanzania.
The Council helped Edith start her business by offering her a temporary licence, before moving her on to a permanent pitch in a premium location. She has also gained new skills as part of the Council’s Trading Places programme, which includes courses on merchandising, tax, social media and digital payment devices.
Since she started her business in 2021, it has grown from 2 employees to 11 at present, 80% of whom are female.
The Council helped Edith start her business by offering her a temporary licence, before moving her on to a permanent pitch in a premium location. She has also gained new skills as part of the Council’s Trading Places programme, which includes courses on merchandising, tax, social media and digital payment devices.
Since she started her business in 2021, it has grown from 2 employees to 11 at present, 80% of whom are female.
After moving from the slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, I made my home in Hackney but I saw that people in a similar position to myself couldn’t get a taste of home in the UK.
My parents were farmers and I grew up helping them to provide us a living. I wanted to keep helping them by trading in the UK, supporting people back home with employment and a good living by delivering the products of Tanzania to the community of Hackney.
I have achieved what I set out to do and more - I’ve expanded the quality and quantity of products from my first year, having started with only a few types of produce on my stall to now selling over 11 different products. Everything I sell is grown on my family farms, transported via my supply chain and retailed in my business in Hackney, which I see as a great achievement.
Edith Oyebade, market stall and business owner
I am delighted to have watched Edith’s local start-up grow into a successful international business. With our investment into Ridley Road and schemes like our Trading Places programme, we’re committed to helping local business owners gain skills and help them succeed.
We’re proud to champion small and micro businesses, like Edith’s, in Hackney and we welcomed the opportunity to show the Tanzanian Ambassador the wonderful traders and produce on offer. He shared high praise for our hospitality and the range of products on offer, and wants to see even more organic Tanzanian food available for the people of Hackney to enjoy.
Cllr Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services