[PHOTOS]: Burera's Nshimiyimana finds niche in soap making

Alexandre Nshimiyimana stands besides another young man in a two-room house. The two mix different ingredients to make soap- one of the products he makes for a living. The 25-year-old resident of Rugarama sector in Burera District tried out many things before finding his turning point in soap making. His last unsuccessful business was a photo studio in the rural Rugarama sector in Burera, which folded within a year. But it also turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Nshimiyimana, shortly ventured into soap making business, which has made him a household name in his village. Using basic skills he acquired through apprenticeship from Uganda including training in making other things such as candles and chalk, Nshimiyimana is on course to live his dream of becoming an accomplished entrepreneur. Nshimiyimana busy at work. From an initial investment of Rwf200,00, he now makes over Rwf500,000 monthly from making soap. Nshimiyimana started the soap making business two years ago with a colleague under the name Sanit Wing Group. “We chose soap making because it was more of a hobby to me, and it would grow faster than any other business. Every person needs soap for daily use, and we found it to be a more profitable business in the area,” Nshimiyimana says. The motivation was also due to the fact that most he wanted to meet a need in his area as residents in the Northern Province depended on soap imported from Uganda, he adds. The duo own a garden where they cultivate Aloe Vera plant whose extracts are mixed with various products to make soaps and lotion. Nshimiyimana holds one of pieces of soap he makes in Burera. How the business started According to Nshimiyimana, he started with an investment of only Rwf200,000, which he used to buy the first raw materials. “We began with one product, Heavy Cleaner liquid soap which is used for heavy duty cleaning activities. But later the demand for bar soap forced us to start making laundry soaps after two months of working,” he reminisces. The business has grown in a short time from making one product to several items like bathing soap, hair shampoo, hand washing liquid soaps and dish washing soap. The products have attracted several customers ranging from schools, restaurants, health centres, hotels and car washing bays, among others. “Sanit Wing Group has positioned itself to provide viable option and alternative to imported detergents. It will be interesting to see which role it plays in improving Made in Rwanda products,” said Jackline Mukaneza, a restaurant owner. Nshimiyimana says making soaps requires some knowledge of Chemistry for one to properly mix right quantities of chemicals depending on the type of soap one is making. The two also make their own packaging materials after recycling used papers into brand new soap boxes. Achievements Nshimiyimana says the achievements from the business are so far so good. “I have been able to buy land worth Rwf3million where I plan to put a new project. I have also won awards in various exhibitions. Besides my status in the community has changed and now I am a role model to some other youth,” says Nshimiyimana. Nshimiyimana in his workshop in Burera. He says he has also managed to train other youth in different activities. He says the group can earn up to Rwf500,000 monthly but there is hope this could increase as the business grows. Challenges He says the challenges affecting their business are still many because as a young enterprise, most of their work is manually done due to limited capital which also limits production capacity. Nshimiyimana (left) in his garden with some of his employees where he grows medicinal plants that he uses to make soaps. (All photos by Jean dAmour mbonyinshuti) He also cites lack of skills, inadequate raw materials and transport among the other challenges. His call to the Private Sector Federation and government is the need to support local entrepreneurs to ensure that Made-in-Rwanda products are supported to be more competitive. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: Burera's Nshimiyimana finds niche in soap making