We are the first association with a focus on poverty alleviation in Africa, through jewellery training, gemstone education leading to economic advancement. We are a team of jewellers, gemstone professionals, gemmologists, business people, educators, investors, sustainability experts and Africa development specialists, with a shared mission and vision.

Hands sorting raw emeralds on a white surface.

Our Mission

We are supporting sustainable economic development in the African jewellery and gemstone industry.

Smiling woman in traditional African attire adorned with colourful beads, jewellery, and a patterned headwrap, standing against a dark background with palm leaves.

Our Vision

We envision a dynamic African jewellery and gemstone industry, with equal access to training and opportunities, utilising the natural and human resources available, developing skills through collaboration, and acting with integrity.

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Our patrons

Gaetano Cavalieri

President, World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO)

Gaetano is one of the preeminent leaders in the jewellery industry and has been president of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) for over 20 years. Gaetano has widened the participation of jewellers on the African continent through the endorsement of the Jewellery and Gemstone Association of Africa and others. This includes the establishment of the Africa Jewellery Industry Committee to CIBJO and the granting of Observer Membership Status to our association. Gaetano was responsible for CIBJO receiving Special Consultative Status with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), making it the first and only jewellery and gemstone representative to be officially recognized by the international body.

Dr K Y Amoako

President & Founder, ACET

KY is the Founder and President of ACET and former Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). He began his career with the World Bank in 1974 and since then has dedicated his life to solving the problems of the world’s poorest countries, especially those in Africa. As Executive Secretary of ECA KY established the influential African Development Forums and spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives such as the African Peer Review Mechanism. KY has worked with development specialists to address African and Global development issues.

Dr K Y Amoako

President & Founder, ACET

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Our Founder

Longo Mulaisho-Zinsner

Founder / President of Strategy

Longo is President of Strategy of JGAA and has created the infrastructure to deliver the association’s training, mentoring and education goals. Longo is the Founder of Africa Jewellery Week,™ an event billed for 2026 with a soft launch exhibition at GemGeneve in May 2025, The Rainbow Beneath Our Feet, ™ “A Meeting of Mined,” and Gem the Comic.