One of the keys to success for any entrepreneur lies in doing what one loves, and believing in oneself regardless of the odds life throws their way. Also one wouldn’t go far with doing what others are doing simply because it is lucrative, David Uwiragiye, a young entrepreneur, says.

Regardless of being an illiterate and an orphan, Uwiragiye, has risen above all these challenges and made a life out of what one would call an unfortunate situation.

The enterprising young man owns one of the busiest cafeteria (commonly known as Kansime) in Kabagari, a trading centre in Kacyiru, Kigali. He has introduced a new way of preparing rolex (egg and chapati roll) and kikomando (a mixture of chapati and beans), a local dish popular with low-income earners.

Being the only person dealing in the business in Kabagari has won him clients, and his outstanding customer care has attracted more customers for him.

"Customer care is my number one priority because, to me, the customer is always king. I also put in all my efforts in what I prepare so that my clients get high quality service.  This has bore dividends as I am able to save between Rwf90,000 and Rwf150,000 every month, excluding expenses,” Uwiragiye says.

As I wait to conduct the interview on a Thursday evening, customers start queuing up at his stand. Most of them are ordering for chips and rolex (eggs and chapati).

Uwiragiye later tells me there is always a variety of foods, ranging from scrambled eggs to plain chips going at pocket-friendly price. ‘Plain’ chapati and a cup of tea go for Rwf200. Residents, especially bachelors, have made Kansime their dining joint of choice, he says, to confirm what I had suspected.

Inspiration

Uwiragiye says he was inspired by his former boss, who had a similar business. "After I gained enough skills and experience in the trade, I decided to start up my own small business in 2014,” he adds.

 "Besides, I have always dreamed of starting my own business... I believed in myself, was confident and I knew what I wanted, so I worked towards achieving it.”

He says he chose Kabagari trading centre because there was no one in the area with such a business.

Starting out

Uwiragiye says he started with Rwf90,000, out of which Rwf80,000 was used to rent space, and Rwf10,000 was used to buy a few requirements to kick-start the enterprise.

"I started with selling chapatis, and when my clientele base widened, I introduced French fries, this was my turning point,” he narrates.

Challenges

Like any other start-up, Uwiragiye met certain obstacles. "I had to pay different kinds of taxes, yet my income was still so low. I was lucky my suppliers had trust in me and could give me supplies on credit and I pay them later. That’s how I managed in the early days,” he says.

Uwiragiye hopes to expand the business by looking for a bigger space and turning his business into a full-time restaurant.

The 25-year-old entrepreneur has so far managed to buy land and constructed a three bed-roomed house using savings from the business.

Advice to youth

Uwiragiye advises young people to work hard and not to minimise small jobs, arguing that there is no formula to success.

He says: "Those who are not educated should not think that it’s the end of the world and drown in self-pity; they should have confidence in themselves and face the world’s challenges with focus and determination. That’s the only way one can make it in life.”