This quick thinking entrepreneur saw a business opportunity in environmentally friendly packaging. Today he calls himself ‘the Paper Bag Man’ of Rwanda.
When the Rwandan government recently decided to prohibit plastic bags due of the negative effect on the environment, Fabrice Shema Ngoga realised he had a chance to start a potentially prosperous business for himself, while greatly benefitting his country. After researching the viability of his idea, he found out that most retailers in Rwanda imported paper bags from neighbouring Kenya. After making this discovery, Fabrice went about creating SOGEM, which would be the first local paper bag manufacturing company in Rwanda.
Fabrice travelled to Dubai and India in order to learn how best to go about operating his business and to gain an understanding of the paper bag manufacturing process. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though, as financing proved to be a major hurdle in Fabrice’s way. Since he had no assets to start with, conventional banks were unwilling to grant him loans. So, in order to obtain the funds needed to start his business.
Fabrice Shema Ngoga: Owner of SOGEM
nabil
December 24, 2009
well, i was really impressed when i saw the documentary on tv. that’s some real determination he has. i wish him all the best and i hope in a year’s time he will be a big time company manager. to those of us who don’t have much determination, let us learn from him.
nana kusi
January 6, 2010
This is wat the youth of today should be doing instead of looking for white-collar jobs which are not available..Big ups fabrice.
smith kwofie gyan
January 7, 2010
I am very impressed. I am motivated and empowered. Can u please link me to
SOGEM paper bag manufacturing campany? I would like to learn more.
Africa Report
January 13, 2010
Dear Smith,
Thank you for watching Africa Report. Should you wish to replay the SOGEM feature please scroll over the ‘Episodes’ tab on our website. Scroll over ‘Episode 4′ which will bring up a drop-down menu with the episode chapter names. Click on ‘SOGEM’ and press play indicated by a forward arrow. This is the link http://www.africareport.com/?page_id=677
The contact details for Fabrice Shema of SOGEM are:
SOGEM Rwanda
SOCIETE GENERALE D’EMBALLAGE
B.P. 2194
Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: (250) 0788 567 687/740 272
Email: sogem.rwanda@yahoo.com
Stay tuned to Africa Report.
sibanda thulani
January 23, 2010
it surely pays to be focused. They say “the moment an organization realizes success, progress stops” Don’t stop there guys, this is just the beginning of something great. may the Lord guide you through
nana ama
February 22, 2010
i was motivated by the paper bag story .i live in ghana and will like to start a paper bag factory too . ho w do i get funding and training?
akimo verar
March 23, 2010
i like to much
victoria
April 19, 2010
wonderful job done keep focused and excel
Mbame Ngembo
April 23, 2010
Mbame
Cameroon.
April 2010.
Exploiting this idea is marvelous and timely.I pray others emmulate you to keep our environment free of plastic polutants.Your business prowess cannot be under estimated. More greese to your elbows.
Francis O Antwi
July 23, 2010
Man i love you so much, upon seeing your company on the africanreport.com i said to myself my dream has come to pass.please how do i get to know more about this business. I live in GHANA.Thank YOU.
Africa Report Team
July 23, 2010
Hi Francis
To get to know more about business, read our Africa Report articles and keep watching the show!
We regularly update our website with new information and advice for entrepreneurs.
All the best.
Emmanuel K Addo
July 28, 2010
I have watched africa report and my life is changing now because i have been dreaming for so long and now i have the edge to start putting up my business plan for finance,I know i will call you to cover my project to ginger others sooner than later.Youth of Africa awake and lets build our Africa,Lets build our land.
Emmanuel
Ghana
BAG FACTORY
August 20, 2010
China Bag Manufacturer
Supply laptop bag, cooler bag, solar bag, duffle bag, shoulder bag,backpack
Adriano Zevo
October 12, 2010
I am very pleased to see your reports.
I have an idea to start a plastic and paper bag manufactory in Dem. Rep. of Congo. I stay in United Kingdom, and I want to know where can I get trainig and where to equipments(machines). If you can tell me all I need to do for that kind of Business.
Waiting to hear from you
Yours
Adriano Zevo
bag manufacturers
December 28, 2010
Great blog ! Your article is admirable and i will look again…………………………………….
regards:
http://www.viaam.com
bag manufacturers
December 29, 2010
I appreciate your post, thanks for sharing the post, i want to hear more about this in future.
http://www.viaam.com
Preediguara
January 9, 2011
Few feelings .. but nice …
buy isk
January 12, 2011
This article is very informative. Great stuff here.
Titi
January 24, 2011
Fabrice,
I sent you an email but to no avail. Please reply soonest as we might share ideas. In the meantime, bravo!
Andrew
January 25, 2011
Hi Fabrice,
That’s brilliant. Congratulations. I live in Ghana and have been contemplating this idea for a while now. I have just started doing some research on the internet and that’s how come I got to know about Africa Report and you. I would very much appreciate it if I could get in touch with you/SOGEM very soon. I would sure need some help and information form your end. Thanks.
abner
January 26, 2011
Wonderful. I have also tried to start this business in Uganda, but seem to be facing the same problems – more so about buying the machinery needed. These machines go for as much as half a billion.
biba
January 26, 2011
Hi, i would greatly appreciate it if you could give me some advice as to where to purchase a good machine to start with. I am trying to get this same business concept started in Gambia and any advice you can give will be very helpful, I also want to include plastic bags.
Thank you
Bag manufacturers
February 19, 2011
Nice blog ! I like your article and I will really read it again. It will be beneficial especially for young graduates, as well as for freshmen.
For a number one quality bag in which you will get quality as well as fashion.
bag manufacturers
Chandra Shekar Rao
May 31, 2011
I am very pleased to see your post. I am planning to start this business in India and this has helped me a lot to know about the financial matters and production.
In future I hope you become a great entrepreneur.
MisterX
October 11, 2011
By the way, after having a bad shopping experience – shipping directly from the supplier to my house in Austria. I decided to use mail forwarding address provided by post-rocket.com
My Ford GT had broken down and the only place in the US where I could buy the parts was not going to ship overseas. This was the moment when 6X Express helped me. The company is really good in what they do and when I talked to them – I understood that this is because they work as a team. Whoever I spoke to – everyone was very helpful and never redirected me.
I had been searching for this kind of service for several months, so I believe this information is very helpful.
Anne
Mack Milette
January 3, 2012
Thanks for the article, it was interesting and compelling. I will come back another time