About Raffia Sanctuary
Malagasy craft between tradition and innovation.
Discover our world dedicated to Madagascar craft through unique creations from our raffia bag manufacturing workshop. Based in Antananarivo, we are a supplier and wholesaler specialized in raffia, rabane and natural fiber bags.
Originally a family business, we grew our production capacity to meet rising international demand while keeping our artisanal know-how intact.
For over five years we have supported our clients on their projects with careful production, demanding quality control and reliable lead times.
2023 marked a turning point with a major investment in crocheted bag and rabane bag production, bringing our monthly capacity to several tens of thousands of pieces.
The founder
Tony RASAMIMANANTSOA
Tony RASAMIMANANTSOA is a young Malagasy entrepreneur driven by a clear vision: to bring Madagascar's craftsmanship to the international stage. Passionate about creation, innovation and building sustainable projects, he transformed a family business into a manufacturing workshop recognized for the quality of its raffia bags, rabane creations and natural fiber products.
Convinced that the know-how of Malagasy artisans deserves global visibility, he builds partnerships with importers, wholesalers, distributors and brands looking for authentic, responsible and carefully crafted products. His ambition is to promote Madagascar raffia, support local employment and make Raffia Sanctuary an international reference among manufacturers, suppliers and exporters of premium raffia bags and handcrafted goods.
« Building durable partnerships today is how we secure a future for Malagasy craftsmanship. »
Official documents & company legality
Raffia Sanctuary is a formally registered company in Madagascar. Our importing partners receive every document required for customs clearance and purchasing compliance.
Business registration
Company registered in Antananarivo with an active exporter status.
Tax identification number
TIN and statistical card available on request for your accounting team.
Certificate of origin
Document certifying the 100% Malagasy origin of the exported goods.
Commercial invoice & packing list
Issued for every shipment, compliant with international customs requirements.
Phytosanitary clearance
Plant fibre treatment and certification for entry into the EU, USA and Asia.
Transport documents
Bill of Lading (sea) or AWB (air), with tracking shared at every step.
All documents are sent by email before shipping and physically attached to the container or parcel.
Quality first
Every piece leaving our workshop is checked by hand. We would rather decline an order than ship a product that does not match our standards.
Fibre selection
Hand-sorted Farinifera raffia: length, suppleness, colour consistency.
Experienced artisans
Each crocheter is trained on our templates and supervised by a workshop lead.
Three-stage inspection
Checks during production, at finishing, then before packing.
Approved sample
No bulk production starts without your written approval of the prototype.
Strength tested
Handles, seams and linings load-tested before shipment.
Protective packing
Each bag is stuffed, protected and individually wrapped for long-distance transport.
Respecting deadlines
A beautiful bag delivered too late misses its season. We plan every order with a clear schedule and regular progress updates.
Contractual schedule
Workshop completion date fixed as soon as the order is confirmed.
Controlled capacity
Tens of thousands of pieces per month across our artisan network.
Progress reports
Photos and completion percentage shared every week.
Logistics booked ahead
Sea or air freight reserved before production ends.
Our process, from your idea to the container
A seven-step journey, proven with brands, wholesalers and importers across four continents.
- 01
Brief & needs
You describe the model, quantities, colours and target market.
- 02
Detailed quote
FOB or CIF pricing, lead times and payment terms within 48 working hours.
- 03
Prototype
Sample crafted and photographed, adjusted until you approve it.
- 04
Fibre sourcing
Raffia purchased and dyed in the exact shades of your colour chart.
- 05
Handcrafted production
Workshop launch with weekly follow-up and continuous quality control.
- 06
Final check & packing
Piece-by-piece inspection, marking, labelling and cartoning.
- 07
Export & tracking
Customs paperwork, sea or air shipping, tracking until delivery.
The art of Malagasy crochet
Crochet is at the heart of our identity. In Madagascar this gesture is passed from mother to daughter across generations: a single hook, a raffia thread and hours of patience create a dense, regular, living stitch.
A crocheted bag takes between six and twenty hours of work depending on its size and pattern complexity. That deliberate slowness is what separates a handmade piece from an industrial product: every stitch is adjusted by hand, every handle reinforced point by point.
In 2023 we invested in training and equipping our crochet workshops to combine volume with consistency. Our artisans now work on standardised templates that guarantee constant dimensions from one piece to the next, without ever sacrificing the handmade character.
Template-controlled tension for lasting structure.
Jacquard, stripes and logos crocheted into the material.
Pantone references matched with raffia-specific dyes.
Leather or raffia handles, cotton linings, zips and pompoms.
Part of the Athalia Group
Raffia Sanctuary is a member of the Athalia Group, a set of Malagasy activities united by one conviction: produce locally, export sustainably and create skilled jobs in Madagascar.
This membership gives us a solid foundation — cash flow, shared logistics, an artisan network and administrative support — while keeping the agility of a specialised workshop able to respond quickly to B2B demand.
- Financial strength and guaranteed business continuity
- Logistics and export shared across group entities
- Extended network of artisans and fibre suppliers
- Shared commitment to local jobs and Malagasy craft
