Turning Waste into Paper
Empowering Communities Through Profitable Waste Innovation
Our Story
Mapepa Karatasi Ltd is a Tanzanian for-profit enterprise transforming agricultural waste into high-quality handmade paper and crafts.
Inspired by our partner Handmade Papers of Africa (Zimbabwe)—with over 30 years of eco-conscious innovation—we empower local women and youth cooperative groups to produce and profit from manufacturing paper and handcraft products using agriculture waste; a natural by-product of Tanzania’s vast agri-sector.
Inspired by our partner Handmade Papers of Africa (Zimbabwe)—with over 30 years of eco-conscious innovation—we empower local women and youth cooperative groups to produce and profit from manufacturing paper and handcraft products using agriculture waste; a natural by-product of Tanzania’s vast agri-sector.
Read the Latest from Mapepa Karatasi
Stationary Products Manufacturerd by Local Women from Mapepa Karatasi
Locally Manufactured Products from the Women of Mapepa Karatasi
Sisal Waste Sorting
Our Products
Corporate
Envelopes
Book markers
Cards
Notebooks
Industrial
Specialty papers
Gifting
Arts & Crafts
Personalized products
Artisanal products
Our Values
We are deeply rooted in six core values.
Environmental Stewardship
Transforming agriculture waste into profitable paper and handcraft products and preserving trees.
Integrity & Teamwork
Transparent partnerships and shared purpose.
Community Empowerment
Manufacturing through locally trained and equipped women and youth.
Professionalism & Performance
Respecting all and encouraging improvement by continuous practice.
Education & Innovation
Continuous experimentation, training and innovation in paper and handcraft manufacturing.
Fiscal Responsibility & Safety
Maintaining safe working and manufacturing practices at all times.
Our Model for Sustainable Impact
Our first model: Recovering Sisal Waste
We harness the untapped 96% of discarded sisal waste, which is typically lost during fibre processing, and transform it into tree-free paper and handcraft products using traditional African tools and techniques and without using harmful chemicals.
The Pulp-paper and handcraft products are manufactured by trained groups of women and youth across the country, through a Public-Private Partnership with the Tanzania Sisal Board (TSB) as part of the Mkonge BBT initiative from the Tanzania Government.
Each cooperative group shall:
The Pulp-paper and handcraft products are manufactured by trained groups of women and youth across the country, through a Public-Private Partnership with the Tanzania Sisal Board (TSB) as part of the Mkonge BBT initiative from the Tanzania Government.
Each cooperative group shall:
Produce pulp-paper and handcrafts for delivery to our Centre of Excellence for local and international distribution.
Manufacture pulp-paper and handcraft products using traditional tools and techniques that are sustainable with zero fossil fuels.
Receive continuous training, certification and coaching in product manufacturing and business and personal financial management.
Community Impact
Creating employment across rural farming and disadvantaged communities.
Creating direct income for manufacturers, promoting wealth generation and gender equality.
Post-harvest waste reduction of up to 60% in the agriculture industry.
Foreign exchange generation through export markets and import substitution.
Supporting industrialization and environmental goals.
Why Mapepa Karatasi is the Future
Scalability
Local, scalable production using patented African technology.
Industry Experience
Backed by 35+ years of paper industry expertise and experienced leadership.
Eco Friendliness
A proven, eco-friendly alternative to plastic and wood pulp products.
Sustainability
Fully aligned with government, community, and international sustainability goals.
Stewardship
Encouraging bio-degradable alternative products to be prevalent in the markets.
Join Us
Together, we can build a greener, fairer, and more profitable future—one sheet of paper at a time.