About Us

Founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Salim Ali, the Kiswahili word Mtoko embodies the idea of stepping out. We work with stigmatized individuals and groups to innovate and create products that are beautiful, ethical and sustainable.

We want to build a brand that bridges people, places and lives. We love to see the journey of our connections.

Salim Ali is a bachelor degree holder in Social Work; he has been working in Tanzania fashion industry for the past ten years and managed to showcase his designs in different platforms including Swahili Fashion Week 2010 , 2011, and 2012.

Salim’s experience in design coupled with his professional background in Social Work, mobilizes the company to utilize design as a tool for community connections. Embedded into the philosophy of Mtoko is the idea that everything we carry on a journey has value in life.

“I am a keen believer of the Kiswahili proverb, ‘Maisha ni safari’ life is a Journey. This is my daily mantra and it gives me new eyes to the world.

I consider everything that we’re going through in this life, is meant to make us perfectly beautiful."