YellowSisi Marketplace has launched the #ACT4HER / #CelebrateHerHairitage campaign to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, highlighting the cultural, creative and economic contributions of Afro-Hairitage communities to sustainable development.

The pan-African initiative aligns with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” which advocates dismantling discriminatory laws, strengthening legal protections, and challenging harmful practices that restrict the rights and opportunities of women and girls.

Through storytelling, cultural programming and marketplace participation, the campaign aims to spotlight women creators, stylists, entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners who drive innovation, employment and leadership within the hair and creative economies.

According to the organisers, natural hair culture across Africa and its diaspora represents more than personal expression; it is a vibrant cultural economy supporting millions of practitioners, small enterprises and informal networks that sustain families and communities.

Kelechi Yibo-Koko , the CEO of YellowSisi Marketplace, said the initiative is part of its broader effort to transform natural hair culture into a recognised cultural commodity ecosystem where culture, care, creativity and commerce intersect to create inclusive opportunities.

He remarked that the platform’s Impact Action Ecosystem includes festivals, fashion platforms, innovation labs, financial participation tools and cultural diplomacy programmes aimed at connecting cultural identity with economic participation.

He stated that the campaign also seeks to promote a continental “hairitage economy,” linking African nations and diaspora communities through cultural identity, entrepreneurship and creative industries.

Chief Executive Officer of SekiKulture, Mr. Yibo-Koko, said Afro-Hairitage communities represent one of the most dynamic intersections of culture, creativity and enterprise.

“Women have always been central to these ecosystems—as creators, innovators and custodians of cultural knowledge. Through #CelebrateHerHairitage, we recognise their leadership and reaffirm our commitment to building systems where their contributions are visible, valued and supported,” she said.

Yibo-Koko emphasised the role of heritage in strengthening cultural diplomacy across communities and nations.

“Hair culture carries powerful stories of identity, resilience and creativity. Celebrating Afro-Hairitage is also celebrating cultural dialogue that connects communities across borders,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of Culture Money Afrika, Victor Agih, noted that recognising cultural production as enterprise can unlock new opportunities for employment, innovation and market participation.

According to him, initiatives such as #ACT4HER demonstrate that investing in culture can also support sustainable development.

The campaign focuses on five key impact areas—creativity, cultural diplomacy, diversity integration, economic growth and social inclusion—highlighting how women-led hair enterprises contribute to livelihoods, entrepreneurship and community development.

Agih said the initiative would also support activities such as cultural festivals, Afro-tourism initiatives, hair innovation programmes and environmental projects aimed at linking cultural participation with sustainable development.

He thereby noted that recognising Afro-Hairitage communities as drivers of creativity, enterprise and social transformation supports the broader global call for rights, justice and action for women and girls.