About – AGTI

ABOUT US

The Africa Gemological Training Institute (AGTI)

Established in 2023, The Africa Gemological Training Institute (AGTI), originally founded as Project Africa, was launched to empower African communities by advancing gemstone education, laboratory services, and international market access. Renamed AGTI to reflect its broader vision, we are committed to fostering sustainable growth across the African gem industry.

Our History

Project Africa was created by Ms. Himanot Sisay, the first GIA-certified female gemologist from Ethiopia.

As a pioneering Ethiopian initiative, it was her vision to build a sustainable, self-sufficient gem industry in Africa, serving local communities.

She was able to establish the company as a legally registered educational institution spearheading the development and accomplishing amazing strides.

WGF Involvement

Ms. Haimanot Sisay is not only the owner and founder of Project Africa but also a 50% shareholder of The World gem Foundation. A Canada registered company co-owned by Mr. Geoffrey Domeniy, who was part of Project Africa as an employee, and he co-instructed 12 gemology Students, while the WGF had a certifying involvement.

However Mr. Geoffrey’s employment was later terminated due to misconduct.

Our First Grduates

Gemology Graduates

Ms. Haimanot hard work and dedication paid off, and Project Africa managed to graduate 12 gemology Students, with the support of ministry of mines and H.E Eng. Habtamu Tegene, embassies and media present in the graduation.

This amazing day was sponsored by the Ethiopian Airlines which supported the development of local innovation, and Nuna Ethiopia our instrumental supporter in every step we take.

The ministry of mines was with the project every step of the way and we would like to express our deepest gratitude.

Faceting

The next achievement is the graduation of 10 faceting professionals trained by internationally renowned Gem cutting professionals.

This class is of gem cutters was one of the main point of the AGTI value chain which plans to educate, Add value and create market in the gemstone industry of Ethiopia and Africa.

H.E HABTAMU TEGENE

Minister of the MOE graduating our students

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Ms. Haimanot Sisay

Addressing the press, the attendants and the graduates

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Event Participats

invited gusts of graduates, stakeholders in the gem industry and governmental and non governmental participants

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AGTI Value Chain

Initially known as Project Africa value chain, the primary goal of our initiative is to ensure that local communities economically benefit from the mining and processing of their gemstones. To achieve this, the AGTI is focused on Establishing educational institutions where students can study gemology, gem faceting, and jewelry making beyond this artisanal outreach programs are conducted to ensure safe and scientific methodologies are used when extracting gemstones.

We also have also set-up laboratories to ensure that gemstones are correctly identified, graded, and traced to their original source.
Finally we are working on creating platforms that provide selling opportunities for African gem producers by opening up new markets and giving them access to foreign currency.

Gem faceting Course

As one of the cornerstones of the value chain we have educated ten gem faceting professionals, and we now have completed our value chain.
further more we are working on conducting artisanal miners outreach program, to influence the quality of gems produced