June 28, 2025
From Street Corner to Global Dreams: The Story of Boro African Shop
When you walk through the markets of Africa, something beautiful happens — your eyes don’t just see, they feel. You’ll hear the sound of wooden carvings being shaped, smell the fresh earth in every handmade item, and feel the heartbeat of culture in every piece of art. That’s where my story begins.
My name is Francis, and I’m the founder of Boro African Shop. For over a decade, I’ve been working with my hands, my heart, and my heritage to bring you something real: authentic African curios made by local hands and steeped in tradition.
But it wasn’t always easy.
I started with just a few items — a giraffe carving, a wooden bowl, and a couple of fridge magnets. I set up a small table near where tourists walked. I didn’t have a fancy shop or a big sign. What I had was passion. I believed that if someone picked up my product, they wouldn’t just buy it — they would feel something.
And they did.
Tourists would stop, touch the carvings, and ask, “Who made this?” I would tell them: this was made by a local carver just down the road. No factory. No machines. Just skill, soul, and years of passed-down knowledge.
That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a side hustle. This was my purpose.
Boro African Shop was born from the dream to give people something meaningful — a piece of Africa they can hold in their hands, with a story they’ll never forget. Today, we work with local artists who create everything from wooden animals to hand-painted souvenirs. Every item is crafted slowly, with intention, because beauty takes time.
When you buy from my shop, you’re not just shopping — you’re:
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Supporting real African artists
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Helping a small business grow
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Keeping traditions alive
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Taking home something 100% handmade
In a world full of fast, factory-made items, we are proudly slow and soulful.
Whether you’re a tourist visiting Africa or someone across the world who wants to own something with meaning, I invite you to join my journey. Explore our pieces, learn their stories, and be part of a movement that values the old ways — the good ways.
From the streets of Africa to your home… welcome to Boro African Shop.
– Francis