From Cement Bags To Solar-Powered Backpacks – How One Entrepreneur Helps Children Read At Night
In Tanzania, a local entrepreneur is tackling two significant challenges at once by repurposing discarded cement bags into innovative backpacks equipped with small solar panels to power reading lights. This initiative not only addresses the growing issue of municipal waste but also provides a much-needed solution for rural children who lack access to reliable lighting for studying after dark.
The groundbreaking project, known as Soma Bags, has gained the backing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) due to its potential to resolve multiple societal issues simultaneously. With a workforce of 85 rural employees, Soma Bags is striving to meet the high demand of 13,000 backpacks per month. Despite their best efforts, production still falls short, highlighting the overwhelming need for this creative solution.
The mind behind this transformative initiative is Innocent James, a Tanzanian entrepreneur born in the Mwanza region of northern Tanzania. Having grown up studying by the dim and often hazardous light of a kerosene lantern, James is acutely aware of the struggles faced by students in rural areas. More than two decades later, many Tanzanian households still rely on kerosene lamps, which are not only expensive to maintain but also pose significant health and safety risks.
For many families, the cost of fuel for kerosene lanterns is prohibitively high, and some parents are reluctant to allow their children to use them due to fire hazards. As a result, many children are sent to bed early, unable to complete their homework or engage in additional reading. This persistent issue drove James to seek an alternative solution, and inspiration struck when he encountered a university professor who had integrated a small solar panel into his jacket to charge his phone.
Seeing the potential for a similar concept in school bags, James developed the idea of sewing small, flexible solar panels onto backpacks. These panels store energy during the day and power a small LED reading light at night, allowing children to study even in areas without electricity. In 2016, he began producing these bags himself, sewing about 80 per month and selling them at a price equivalent to $4.00 to $8.00 in Tanzanian shillings—roughly the same amount a family would spend on kerosene fuel in just 15 days.
James’ innovation caught the attention of the UNDP’s Funguo Innovation Programme, a collaborative effort funded by the European Union (EU) and the UK Government. The program aims to promote sustainable solutions and expand educational opportunities for underserved communities. With the additional support, Soma Bags has scaled up production, providing employment opportunities to rural workers while expanding access to sustainable lighting solutions for schoolchildren.
The impact of Soma Bags has been profound. According to the UNDP, the availability of reliable light has significantly improved students’ academic performance, as they can now dedicate more time to their studies after sunset. Beyond education, the backpacks also serve as a means of communication, allowing children to stay connected with family and friends in remote areas where access to electricity is limited.
Moreover, the initiative plays a crucial role in environmental conservation. By upcycling approximately 200,000 discarded cement bags each month, Soma Bags helps prevent plastic and fabric waste from accumulating in Tanzania’s streets, reducing pollution and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The social and economic benefits of the project have garnered widespread recognition. “There is a crop of young people [in Tanzania] who are coming up, and they have realized that they have to take the future into their own hands,” Joseph Manirakiza of the UNDP told CNN. “Innocent represents a group of young people using their talent to do something meaningful.”
By combining environmental sustainability, education, and innovation, Soma Bags exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship in solving complex societal issues. As demand for these backpacks continues to grow, James remains committed to expanding his initiative, ensuring that more children across Tanzania—and potentially beyond—have the tools they need to succeed in their education. With continued support, his vision of a brighter future for students and a cleaner environment may soon become a reality.
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