Western tradition of Valentine’s Day impacted African business
“We do not really do this here in Kenya,” she told the AP, according to a Stars&Stripes report. “No man has ever given me flowers. I would like some.”
The Western tradition of Valentine’s Day may not be widely celebrated in Africa outside some major cities, but if you gave or received flowers this year in the U.S., chances are they were from Africa.
An NGO that offers HIV services handed out free condoms to mark Valentine’s Day in Ethiopia, where Valentine’s Day is not widely celebrated but is slowly taking hold among the youth, according to the AndalouAgency.
In parts of Kenya, the high altitude and cool temperature are perfect for growing large, long-lasting roses, which have helped make Kenya the world’s No. 4 supplier after the Netherlands, Ecuador and Colombia, the AP reported.
An Addis Ababa florist told AndalouAgency that it saw a noticeable increase in 2016 in customers coming in to buy single cut flowers rather than larger bouquets and arrangements for Valentine’s Day — not necessarily good for the bottom line.
Click here to read the complete article at afkinsider.com.