From repairing shoes to leading Rwanda’s shoemakers: the business strides of a Nyabihu man

By Emmanuel Ntirenganya

Sitting on streets in the remote area of Nyabihu District, Western Province as he engaged in repairing shoes of locals and passersby so as to get food for survival, the future of the then young man, Michel Habumugisha, was sheer obscure. That was in 2003.

From mending shoes, he could earn about Rwf500 per day, the wage he used for subsistence.

The now 38-year-old Habumugisha, married, and father of five children has a workplace in Bigogwe Centre, Bigogwe Sector of Nyabihu District, Western Province.

“I would repair shoes, and I could get like Rwf500 which I used to buy food to sustain my living,” he said from his stand at Kigali Trade Fair which runs from August 22 through September 6, 2017, at Gikondo exhibition ground.

But, now, the father testifies that he is able to pay community-based health insurance (Mituelle de Santé) for his family at ease, and pays school fees for his children.

He also founded and manages ATPROC Rwanda Ltd– a Nyabihu-based centre making shoes and other leather products. The centre also teaches leather products making skills especially to the youth and has so far trained over 400 people.

The shoes he makes include men’s shoes whose prices range from Rwf20,000 to Rwf30,000. He also makes girls’ shoes, handbags, and belts.

He is the head of the association of leather products makers in the country, and attends various regional trade exhibitions whereby he gains more experience.

He said that shoemaking business is important to him and other people, as people get jobs and pay, and some have been able to pursue their university studies, and people get quality shoes to wear.

He has equipment worth Rwf3 million that assists him in his leather products production.

I’m no longer earning the Rwf15,000 I used to get per month. I’m now an entrepreneur, assured of a good pay and determined to grow my business bigger ⎼ Habumugisha.

The stages of his shoemaking business, and plan to set up a factory

The turning point of his business “was the sensitization of the Government of Rwanda to Rwandans to save money so that they can ensure a better future.”

Savings lesson made him understand the benefits of saving, and he started saving Rw50 per day under a tontine – savings and credit group.

After some days, he said, he got Rwf30,000 as a credit from the group that he had to cover through contributions (to the group).

He used that money to buy equipment that helped him make Rugabire – a type of cheap shoe normally made from tyres.

He got shoe making trainings from PPMR – a project that was supporting the development of rural areas. Then, he managed to make sandals (type of open shoes).

Thanks to training he got from international shoe making experts under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), he said he has been skilled enough to make quality shoes.

And, as a result, he has built a house worth about Rwf5 million, and employs four people in his business.

His plan ahead is to set up a leather products processing factory within seven years from now.

“I want to start with a small processing factory, and grow my business bigger as time goes by. That’s why I would like to start from a factory worth Rwf30 million of investment,” he said.

Impacting lives of the community

Claudine Nzayisenga, said she finished secondary school studies in 2013 but owing to lack of means, she could not afford to pursue university studies. In 2014, she said, she underwent a one-year course to acquire skills to make leather made products from Habumugisha.

“As I could not afford university education, I decided to acquire skills for making leather made products including shoes, belts, and purses, among others,” she said.

The 24-year-old girl testifies that such skills have been the source of her livelihood, and is a firm foundation for her future well-being.

“Before, I was dependent on parents for every need, such as body lotion, clothes. But now, I buy them on my own. I also managed to open a bank account and save money. Now, I have four pigs. In a nutshell, I lead a good life compared to previously,” she affirms.