10 African Businesses Making The World’s Most Expensive Products | So Expensive Marathon

In Tunisia, Mohamed is cracking and scraping at snails to make authentic Tyrian purple dye.
Farther south in Uganda, Akello is pounding and grinding nuts by hand to make this silky, luxurious East African shea butter.
Across Africa, small businesses and artisans are making some of the world’s most expensive products.
Our first stop is Fez, Morocco, where clay bars have been molded and transformed into colorful, hand-made Zellige tiles for centuries.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:40 - Zellige Tiles
00:11:05 - Shea Butter
00:19:45 - Tyrian Purple
00:30:36 - Frankincense And Myrrh
00:36:41 - Stockfish
00:47:14 - Argan Oil
00:55:22 - River Reed
01:04:42 - Fish Maw
01:16:03 - Red Palm Oil
01:27:20 - Moroccan Rugs
01:40:26 - Credits
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10 African Businesses Making The World’s Most Expensive Products | So Expensive | Business Insider

[@carlreyes]

Mr editor knew EXACTLY what he was doing with the thumbmIl 💀

[@RJCProductionFilms]

KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING 😂😂😂

[@mpthorvonericksen]

or Ms. Editor 🤣🤣🤣

[@10RexTheWolf01]

I've been on the internet too long

[@hellofriendxD]

the c*mnail

[@wisdomchukwu5411]

😂😂😂

[@dragonflyswataswata5135]

What with the cover tho 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@thequraininstitute6618]

Gasp Open comments

[@KingC89]

They knew what they were doing

[@chaseashlin3691]

Oh no a skull emoji whatever shall we do!!!!

[@dukepalmz2893]

They pounded nuts for that, bro 😂💀

[@brandonpineda759]

Not the skull emoji

[@kathyohara6658]

While they might be expensive to the consumer, the artisans benefit the least. Africa has some of the most talented artisans in the world. I recently opened a small shop in my home country, selling only products made in my country, by her own citizens. They deserve the exposure and the benefit for their hard work.

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@adhamawad4832]

Nice, out of interest can I ask what do you sell?

[@torranhughes9294]

That Thumbnail is Crazyy💀😅

[@simpleeasycooking]

I only came here for this comment

[@lissandrafreljord7913]

I was thinking the same. XD

[@IRiz215]

Sorry that's my cu..

[@africalexa]

as someone from Moçambique, south east africa, i love this ! in Africa we have such amazing people, such craftsmanship, so many artists, yet foreigners still think it’s a desert and a rainforest where there’s just lions running around - that’s why videos like this are important for Africans. we are the richest continent in natural resources ! what a great place ! God bless Africa

[@MeganKugs]

I love this video and I love this comment! Far too many people forget, or never even know, that Africa is the birthplace of humanity. The cultures are so varied and vibrant, the people seem incredible and the resources are incredibly abundant. (Unfortunately, because of that wonderful abundance other countries love to come in and scoop up as much as they can. Profiting big time from the resources of the land and the labor of the people without proper compensation to those people. Not just with natural resources either there are so many ways in which the world exploits the endeavors of those from Africa and many other places in the world. That’s a reality that needs to be changed). My fiancé and I decided a long time ago that we must visit Africa once we have the financial stability to do so. His family originates from Nigeria (his father was born there but moved to the US as a child) and it’s very important to us both to see and experience the land from in which his lineage was created. We’ve discussed moving there someday as well. What a joy it will be when we finally step foot on African soil!

[@MY-zx6lz]

RIGHT CANNABIS GIRL - YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING, RIGHT??? FOREIGNERS ARE NOT HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WONDERING THAT NO LION RAOM IN EAST AFRICA! HOW IS THIS VIDEO IMPORTANT TO AFRICANS?? IT'S ABOUT MURDER AND THE WEASEL WHO DID IT!

[@africalexa]

@@MeganKugs It’s so true ! Africa and Africans have been exploited for centuries. It’s a bit of a pity, but i can’t imagine myself living anywhere else. Nigeria is amazing ! you should definitely go. the nice thing about africa too, is that it’s pretty cheap - especially if you’re coming from the US. you’ll be able to do all sorts of fun things and really get into the culture ! i wish you all the best.

[@LordOfSweden]

We literally saw some sub-saharan african grinding some beans like in the dark ages and calling it artisan

[@africalexa]

@@LordOfSweden i don’t think you realise that when products are hand made there’s a huge attention to detail, if everything was machine made there’d be loads of defects and the quality would be nowhere as good.

[@moereese5254]

I remember what life was like as a teenager… So much volume. 💀

[@t.o.o.smooth5870]

😂

[@MrWar2050]

🫢😳😳😳

[@Zoharargov]

LMAOOOOO

[@dxxyk]

only the first few times, then the volume got less and less

[@Just_A_Casual_Fan_Sorry]

Jeeezzz😅😅😅😅

[@TheCian19]

You guys know what you are doing with that thumbnail....

[@nandhakumar.b5493]

😂

[@bihialex]

THOSE LADIES ARE NOT EDUCATED AT ALL BUT THEY ARE A REAL ARTISTS !

[@shameimaru_aya]

There are two types of people: One is "The thumbnail💀", One is "Thank you for showing us the great traditional techniques. This is a resourceful way how the local people can create such quality material with their ingenious ideas."

[@neilbhargava2063]

The second person does not exist☠️

[@Amy-km1if]

Not just quality products. Jobs.

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@Roshaad]

I married a Kenyan and we just recently returned from Jamaica to see all this Kenya/Jamaica YT interaction. Its great being able to take your spouse and kids to your homeland to experience it again with them, and through their eyes. I'll say visiting Kenya as a Jamaican is like being a celeb, an artist at the museum in Nairobi took time out to just talk Jamaican culture history and music with us, when he should have been showcasing his art. Famous musicians stopped to take videos with us at the airport, and Jamaican flags are everywhere around Nairobi. The feeling is mutual for sure, and I agree that I long for the day when the various tribes and other Africans embrace each other like we embrace them.

[@AfricanTeeTravels]

😊

[@Errcyco]

You go to some of the more ancient villages in Africa and you’ll see humans that make you feel like a lazy slob. I’m talking they’ve mastered the area around them to the point lion packs run from them out of fear. They build and maintain their areas with no modern hand tools or electricity. They absolutely live off the land and have their own society and generational knowledge.. it’s so neat. And that’s where modern man first started so these are the OG humans. I wanted to go there as a kid but now I am old enough to realize the best way to support them is to leave them alone and leave their resources and culture alone. Any non technological society that isn’t dependent on the capitalist market should be left alone entirely and support them by ensuring they can be left alone.

[@getanehsaron129]

Thank you for being so conscious of history. And your respect.

[@LordOfSweden]

That's the biggest bunch of bull i've ever heard, admiring people cause they still live like we did in the stone ages becauuse they haven't been able to develop

[@smoothoperator9845]

@@LordOfSwedenPreserving African traditions, customs and culture is very important.

[@PoeInTheDitch]

Just here for the thumbnail comments. Make me proud.

[@victormutunga2944]

Real

[@emiliatepano8504]

How interesting it’s this documentary. I learn a lot!!! How beatiful are all those cultures that extract the best product from the nature. And the best of all without destroy the nature as we do in our “modern world” big big congrats to the people who show and film this magnificent film❤❤❤❤

[@user-le7mn3wt3o]

Andalous nostalgia 💚🌴☀️.merci

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@toiletpaper55]

How is killing thousands of snails and throwing their meat away, for 1 gram of dye, not considered destroying nature?

[@EJSVARZ]

Her voice is so relaxing fr

[@ladyoyinkan]

Great reporting. I learnt so much. Africa is really at the bottom of the food chain whilst everyone else profits from it. This has to change.

[@kairuannewambui8456]

No comments,

[@LordOfSweden]

Really, explain how? What video did you watch?

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@mrbojangles010]

​@@LordOfSwedenthe video explaining how they make some super expensive products while seeing almost none of the profits and live in grass huts. What video did you watch?

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

they are fortunate there are others that have less

[@trafalgardwaterlaw924]

It's interesting how you covered all these wonderful traditional businesses. Thank you.

[@M1iguy]

🌻🌻 Keep motivating and inspiring by showing the world that hard working people and the products that they create are still very valuable in every culture around the 🌎.Great documentary

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@iofprovidenceonu]

I am watching this video from the remotest part of Assam Haflong in the North East part of India. I wish I could at least buy one Tiles of this exquisite,rare and amazing craft tiles to be kept in my home wall as a Treasure. Zelliege Tiles must be the most exquisite and luxurious tiles but with the most demanding laborious manual working method in the modern world.

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

I think that you can buy them on the internet

[@amarachiugwu1]

Africa is endowed with alot of natural resources yet benefit only little from it, watching this video makes me appreciate Africa even more and only if we realize the power we have and be super cooperative, we really don't have to struggle as much as we do.

[@alexanderl.diallo5508]

The Eden GARDEN.

[@milanimorales2645]

Africa is so frucking beautiful

[@radowane101]

when you are moroccan and understand what those people are saying, is a blessing :D

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Our people must protect their recipe otherwise another western conglomerate will produce the same product and patent it. Then we Africans will be told to buy rights to produce the knowledge of our people. Soon china will produce the same products that are genetically modified and simplified version for a cheaper product and our people will be left with no remedy. You will never see coke or Pepsi revealing all its process of manufacturing online.

[@apemancommeth8087]

Africa should be planting those trees everywhere it’s possible! Short term it won’t provide much, but long term there’s tons of benefits! Clean air, shade and far more productive renewable resources that it can trade with! Seems so easy saying that but there’s probably a catch!

[@rosahacketts1668]

Listen to it again to why. Oh boy!

[@pacobelgique264]

Many countries have already tried it but subhan’aAlah it only grows well in the southern sous regio of Morocco 🇲🇦

[@jlnapoleon]

From what I gather this plant won’t grow if you try but turns up growing where it wants to. Very interesting.

[@AlienWavesTV]

Clicked for the thumbnail , stayed for the content

[@laladomiciano]

What is the thumbnail? I dont understand

[@Blaze6432]

@@laladomiciano Ejac into a hand

[@Thushla]

@@laladomiciano it's basically the picture that shows what the show is about - on this one - it's a hand holding the oil (can't remeber which one) and it looks a little suspect at first glance!! Also - it's mostly guys that now and then see that advert asking if you are alone

[@samarasea4444]

Honestly love watching and listening to videos like this. Good work.

[@wendymandigo4581]

Africa is a great continent 🎉🎉🎉

[@ryo4312]

that Thumbnail is wild 😂

[@moderateswag69]

Thumbnail is me when i get home

[@pieceofshitzu2]

That thumbnail 🥵😮‍💨

[@pratib9663]

Why you sweating bud 😢

[@auro1986]

ten african businesses that make europe and america rich

[@stushShulamite]

I enjoyed watching this documentary! Thank you! Going to some East African Shea Butter. The Moroccan tiles are gorgeous! I certainly hope these people are getting paid well. 🇨🇦

[@getanehsaron129]

In the near future when i am building my mansion, im going to partially cover my house with those tiles. They would be so beautiful for shower and bathroom floors.

[@MoIntertains-hk1ix]

Nope! They ain't getting paid well. In Africa you can hope something but will never be as you hope or wish. Sorry to say this. It's reality!

[@Sukariguru374]

I live in East Africa on agricultural land surrounded by extremely poor villagers. Usaid, UK aid to name but a few have project around here. Nothing ever ever gets to the hardest workers.😢

[@ruaine83]

​@@Sukariguru374trickle down economics at work, and someone installed a gutter about 5% down from the top

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

@@MoIntertains-hk1ix no artists get paid well

[@user-js6lp6tx4g]

Africa is one of the most beautiful continents that exist, with a quality of very kind people who make you feel at home, go visit Africa and share a little of yourself with them.

[@noras.9774]

Beautiful, but a hard work! I love it! From Romania, Eastern Europe. I was in Marrocco in a such workshop

[@iamfemo]

I totally enjoyed watching this. I wish there was something I could do to help the Moroccan rug women to get their work directly to the world at a premium cost.

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

there are shops that do that

[@BassMaster.454]

0:12 bro they knew what they were doing. "Pounding and grinding nuts" and then they gonna hit us with that handful of questionable liquid. 😂

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

it is called shea butter used in handcreams etc.

[@CosmicHowlerx]

Good gods the thumbnail 🫣

[@BoomNationForexCoach]

It's always Nigerians 🇳🇬 who likes this Stockfish , I used the stock fish yesterday to prepare a very traditional ogbono Soup. Very Delicious 😅😅👍

[@stushShulamite]

I enjoyed watching this documentary! Thank you! Going to some East African Shea Butter. I certainly hope these people are getting paid well. 🇨🇦

[@user-xb7xp3hf7c]

Thank you for showing us the great traditional techniques

[@notacheesybiscuit]

Thumbnail designer is a menace💀💀

[@clemus]

That cover! 🤣 "…pounding and grinding nuts by hand to make this silky luxurious East African shea butter.” 👀

[@AustinWyattPetersen]

Its quite a load if you ask me. Looks like three loads from me, put together

[@virginiahelzainka]

they should make a school out of this, like vocational school !

[@user-gn3ky8ii5q]

Africa and Moroco have some amazing resources. I love the Moroccan rugs. I would hang one on my wall. ❤❤❤😊😊😊 Thank u and God bless y'all

[@alexanderl.diallo5508]

Marocco ispart of Africa or not?

[@moolcaliyow]

Morocco is also in Africa!

[@user-ip7zc3og1u]

Love my country 🇲🇦

[@milanimorales2645]

This video had so much calming scenery. I fell right to sleep.

[@petunia88]

Woooow! Amazing craftsmanship!

[@tammyhall1008]

Those rugs are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS💯

[@firstdayofforever57]

I feel like I've learned so much! 😌 And I appreciate the cool, calm voice of each voiceover artist.

[@bonnerjung3326]

Unfortunately these tile makers dont earn any close to what they deserve. If you import them they are crazy expensive but the artesan barely can make a living. I love these morrocan tiles 🥰

[@iremiposiajayi122]

I like the economics behind this video. Africa can be rich. It’s so sad what our economy has become despite its potential.

[@user-jw6oc6fr3i]

The craftsmanship they create is beautiful

[@TH-eb5ro]

As someone who lived in rainy season climates and had to learn to deal with repairs. I want to suggest that they building scaffolding to get up the tree during the rainy season. Once built of bamboo, pipe it can safely be moved. I found the oil part very interesting as I use very little oil in my cooking. I use Alum stone for deoderant, interesting it is used in rugs.

[@taimermega6447]

MashAllah, love from Ingushetiya and Chechnya

[@marianicholls2741]

Very interesting video. God bless all the hard workers for turning out amazing products through blood , sweat and probably tears.❤❤

[@deedeemccall7693]

Loved videos. Good compilation

[@MsCaterific]

so good! so interesting! thank you

[@mujkocka]

I love this. Every small things has many interesting aspects

[@joanitakirabo3081]

We need more machines to multiply production o these amazing products.

[@normanzjames]

This was an amazing video to watch!

[@GhettoRiseKids-nv9zl]

simply awesome , keep up the great lifework, thank you BI

[@kendexter]

Insane handcraft.. True masters

[@chiedzamagunje5330]

God bless the work of these people!!

[@askmamalouise7605]

Outstanding featured stories that educate and expand your knowledge! I love how culture, traditions, and skills are honored by this channel! 💖💛💝

[@giancarlonealmaru7303]

Woaahhhh, the thumbnail got me

[@user-jo4bm8bc4i]

Thanks, I learned how important the traditional life skill to pass future generations and kept life. ❤❤❤❤

[@elizabethmiranda1609]

Beautiful craftsmanship 💓

[@praguhbis]

I have had thinning hair after I lost my mother 4 years back. I use very expensive Morrocon Argan oil product very sparingly. Whetever hair is there, it is silky and so beautiful now that I'm using the product once a week which is enough. It is a miracle of nature.

[@arrcee8396]

Thank you🙏😇

[@denzel97]

Business insider using that as a thumbnail is wild.

[@SA-Bean-Bean]

21:28 😂😂i was NOT EXPECTING his voice or the ENGLISH! Wow😂😂😂😂 i guess thats what i get for assuming😂

[@yukataniguchi1727]

lmao why my mind is so dirty looking at the thumbnail

[@YOURSMALLBUSINESSRESOURCE]

Truly inspirational.

[@rebeccabarnhart4837]

I can't rave enough about Tommy singing Abbas the winner takes it all. The song is so amazingly original but when Tommy does it, it's extraordinary. Tommy Johansson (Sabaton) guitarist

[@MaryLee-vk5pi]

10 Businesses make some of the most expensive products Yet they earn pennies for their hard work While Companies make millions

[@user-is2kb9kq8i]

That cover makes me think I should call him…

[@mamoshimiloni9559]

I never EVER buy fish from Norway. Research why ? some years ago there was a tv man who find out that the companies who are giving food to some fish arts which Norway exports were buying food for the fish which there was all kind of very dangres poisen in them. Specially those kind of fish that are harvested like other animals. They were eating these fish foods where it really was hard for the tv man to find out who owned these companies !!! So research before buying fish

[@BeeBee-wu1fz]

If you know the history of harvesting snails for their dye then you know. If you don't know, look it up.

[@somedaywellknow1811]

The baiting was top level😂😂😂

[@ProximaCentauri88]

Jizzz Christ! That thumbnail got me!

[@Riri-me4ml]

I watched this without skipping and stopping. This was such an interesting topic that I really loved

[@terehenriquez7974]

Great and hard Word!! So incredible art 🤩

[@AnnaMartins-dt5we]

These women deserve gold as payment for their work!! Such skill and patience just to weave the wool into something playable… Beautiful rugs!! Intricate designs!! Eliminate the so called “ middle man “ and perhaps you’ll be one step closer to freedom of exploitation. God bless these wonderful Women!!

[@user-fl1pc7zu7f]

how does one get the product out of the country to where people have the money to buy it if one eliminates the middle man, take a trip with the rugs, how do they afford that? No artists get paid well

[@gcloptonAPSU]

I went straight to the comments 😂

[@enaid54]

Amazing ARTISTS!

[@gracebello8829]

The thumbnail is soo relatable

[@theresamckenna3176]

The tiles are beautiful

[@reno_idn]

Well, Business Insider knows how to attract people to their content. That thumbnail is well-designed. It defines what people think 😆

[@Debbie-by7oj]

Very interesting I didn't know about this dye

[@ruaine83]

You can tell the shea butter works, because the skin of those women is phenomenally beautiful. Smooth, healthy, I'm gonna go make me an investment in both them and myself (unfortunately only about 3¢ on every dollar will likely make it to them, darned trickle down effect with corporate gutters in the way)

[@overcomerjnr231]

That was awesome 😊

[@Amy-km1if]

Very nice video. If that resoectable man has been doing tiles for over 54 years, the leaders in Africa andn youth in Africa need to see this and realise how wrong it is to not have jobs and run to the west for greener pastires. Im African in Europe for the last 30 years. I wish i never stepped out of Acrica.

[@Jordan-xg4pn]

You can always go back. I will one day hopefully

[@ebethadjeleyadjetey7718]

This is really beautiful

[@meows7846]

The narrator's voice!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@yanethsitadiaz7346]

Waao increíble como trabajan es muy lindo

[@jauresnken1949]

That thumbnail is crazy...!

[@lolblastoyx3754]

Love from Algeria to all people on earth 🌍❤

[@user-hb7mb7is2j]

Those tiles 😳

[@Artair2009]

Ghassen sounds like Tom Ford explaining his body of work or products

[@nbagoats4819]

I think what they're doing with the snails is wrong. They're killing so many of them for such a small supply of product.

[@Liandra24]

Tyrian purple, a color that has existed since ancient times and produced the same way it is now by these artisans, just what is the reproduction rate that these snails have that they aren’t in the extinction list yet?

[@nbagoats4819]

@@Liandra24 Interesting fact after doing a little research. According to research it takes approximately eight thousand mollusks to produce a single gram of the substance.

[@elizabethgirinde8956]

Now i know why purple is a royal color 💜

[@chaits4377]

omg such a great hard work

[@uhateulame9092]

my grandparent are from the region where argan trees grows. They have alot of acres of land with argan trees but they are too old to harvest them and frankly dont feel the need to do. The neibors often go and steel the nuts from their land. Some even let goats eat the trees, a thing that kill the tree over time. In that region, the liter cost 35 to 50 dollar a liter.

[@unstoppablepositivemindset]

AMAZING!!!!