Innocent James, a visionary entrepreneur from Tanzania, has found an innovative way to help children in rural areas overcome the challenge of studying after dark.
His company, Soma Bags, creates solar-powered backpacks that charge a reading light as children walk to and from school. This product is transforming lives by providing a sustainable, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to polluting kerosene lamps.
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The inspiration behind Soma bags
Growing up in a part of northern Tanzania without electricity, James relied on dim and expensive kerosene lamps to read after school. Now 33 years old, he recalls how his upbringing by his schoolteacher mother and grandmother instilled a deep love for reading. This passion inspired him to address the barriers that rural children face in accessing education.
While studying at university in Mwanza, James noticed many schoolchildren skipping classes to beg for money or spend time in video game cafés. This troubling sight motivated him to create mobile library carts and host reading clubs to reignite their interest in learning. However, James discovered a deeper problem: the lack of affordable light sources after sunset.
Fewer than half of households in mainland Tanzania have electricity, and in rural areas, this drops to just over a third. Families often rely on kerosene lamps, which are not only expensive but also emit harmful fumes and pose fire hazards. Parents are often forced to choose between saving money and allowing their children to study at night.
An innovative solution
Inspired by a university professor who carried a solar charger in a fabric pouch, James designed a solar backpack with a flexible solar panel sewn onto the outside. As children walk to and from school, the panel charges a reading light that can provide six to eight hours of illumination. This allows children to continue reading long after sunset, even during cloudy days.
Soma Bags began in 2016 with James hand-sewing 80 backpacks per month using discarded cement bags as the material. Durable, lightweight, and cost-free, the recycled cement bags proved ideal for the product. The business officially launched in 2019, and by 2020, Soma Bags had built its own factory in the village of Bulale in Tanzania’s Mwanza region. Today, the company employs 65 people and has become a beacon of innovation and sustainability.
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Affordable and sustainable light
Soma Bags are priced between 12,000 and 22,500 Tanzanian shillings ($4–$8), making them more affordable than kerosene lamps, which cost a similar amount to operate for just a few weeks. Each bag comes with a built-in reading light, and larger models even have the capacity to charge electronic devices like mobile phones.
The company’s impact has been significant, with over 36,000 solar backpacks sold across Africa in 2024 alone. More than 200 charities have partnered with Soma Bags to distribute them to children in need. The backpacks are now in demand not only in rural Tanzania but also in countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Expanding the vision and empowering the future
Soma Bags has expanded its product line to include travel, sports, and cosmetic bags, with or without solar panels. The company has also caught the attention of international fashion brands in Europe and Africa, further enhancing its global reach.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which began supporting Soma Bags in 2023, lauds the company’s innovation and environmental impact.
In addition to manufacturing backpacks, James continues to run mobile library reading sessions twice a week, with many children proudly wearing Soma Bags as they participate. The company’s success has earned recognition from international organisations and inspired a generation of young Tanzanian entrepreneurs.
As Soma Bags continues to grow, the company remains committed to empowering children with the tools they need to learn, thrive, and shine, even after the sun goes down.
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