Tanzanian Entrepreneur Turns Cement Bags into Solar Backpacks, Empowering Children’s Education
2 min read
School Kids with Soma-Bags-credit-UNDP-Tanzania
Innocent James, an innovative entrepreneur from northern Tanzania, is tackling two pressing challenges with a single solution: transforming discarded cement bags into solar-powered backpacks. These unique creations are helping rural children study after dark while reducing environmental waste.
Dubbed Soma Bags, these backpacks are equipped with flexible solar panels that power reading lights, providing a sustainable and affordable alternative to kerosene lanterns. This ingenious idea has garnered support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which recognizes its potential to address education gaps and promote sustainable practices in underserved communities.
James, born in the Mwanza region, recalls his own struggles studying under the dim, smoky light of kerosene lanterns as a child. Decades later, many rural households still rely on these outdated and hazardous lighting solutions, leaving children with limited opportunities to read or do homework at night.
The idea for Soma Bags came to James in 2016, when a university professor had sewn a solar panel into his jacket to charge his phone. From there, James started sewing flexible solar panels onto backpacks made from repurposed cement bags. The first prototypes cost between $4 and $8, the equivalent of running a kerosene lamp for two weeks.
Today, Soma Bags has grown into a thriving enterprise. Employing 85 rural workers, the company produces approximately 13,000 backpacks each month, though demand often exceeds supply. By repurposing up to 200,000 discarded cement sacks monthly, the business is also making a significant impact on environmental conservation, preventing the bags from becoming urban litter.
The impact on education has been transformative. Children equipped with Soma Bags now have access to reliable lighting, enabling them to study more effectively and improve their academic performance. Beyond education, the backpacks foster better communication, as children use them to stay connected with family and friends.
Supported by the UNDP’s Funguo Innovation Programme—funded by the European Union and the UK Government—Soma Bags exemplifies the power of sustainable solutions in addressing societal challenges. The company also benefits from exclusive brand partnerships and sales revenue, ensuring its continued growth.
“There is a crop of young people in Tanzania who are stepping up and taking the future into their own hands,” says Joseph Manirakiza of the UNDP. “Innocent represents a generation that is using its talent to make a meaningful impact.”
Through Soma Bags, James has not only illuminated the nights of countless children but also lit the path for innovative, community-driven solutions that address global challenges head-on.
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