Meet Epaphras Ndikumana, the visionary entrepreneur driven by a mission to transform the agri-food landscape in Burundi. Starting with just 90 Burundian francs (around $0.50 at the time), Epaphras' story is one of resilience, initiative, and the unwavering belief that "where there's a will, there's a way." As he reflects on his journey—from selling peanuts on foot to scaling up Burundi’s food production—Epaphras has much to share with other founders who are passionate about creating change through sustainable business.
From Childhood Entrepreneur to Visionary Founder
Epaphras’ entrepreneurial spirit began early. At just 11 years old, he would trek six hours to buy peanuts, which he then processed, packaged, and sold to meet his own needs, as his parents couldn’t always provide. This spirit of innovation followed him through secondary school, where he and his friends pooled efforts to run a pub and fund their school needs. Despite growing up amidst civil unrest, Epaphras continued to find ways to create value, whether through photography or organising small businesses.
His pivotal experience came when he worked as an agronomist at a coffee company, where he helped increase the number of coffee suppliers from 800 to 4,000. “I realised I couldn’t help as many people as I wanted with a limited salary,” he explains. “If I had a company, I could hire people.” This realisation, combined with a decade of hands-on experience, pushed Epaphras to pursue entrepreneurship formally, finally launching his agri-business in 2023.
Building a Purpose-Driven Agri-Business
Epaphras’ company is grounded in values that reflect his own: resilience, sustainability, and collaboration. His mission? To revolutionise Burundi's agri-food industry with sustainable practices that generate jobs, secure food supplies, and promote climate resilience. Epaphras believes that with a skilled, committed team, and global collaboration, they can drive transformative change.
While launching, Epaphras faced several challenges, including limited startup capital, transportation obstacles due to fuel scarcity, and a lack of essential farming tools. To overcome these hurdles, he and his co-founders pooled resources secured a bank loan, and found creative solutions—like creating makeshift feeding platforms for fish when specialised equipment was unavailable.
Lessons Learned on the Entrepreneurial Path
Reflecting on the journey, Epaphras highlights key insights for fellow founders:
- Learning fuels growth: Epaphras credits much of his vision to books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Le Jeune Entrepreneur Africain, as well as training from African Changemakers and iCRA in the Netherlands.
- Networking is essential: Building connections has been invaluable for him, especially in securing technical support and insights for navigating challenges in agri-business.
- Embrace calculated risks: In Epaphras’ experience, many potential partners hesitated to join the venture due to the risks. His advice? Be willing to take the leap, even when circumstances are daunting.
Achievements and Goals: Looking to the Future
Since launching, Epaphras’ proudest moment was receiving positive feedback on their first fish harvest. “Seeing our customers happy and wanting more was incredible,” he recalls, noting that their fish had exceeded customers’ expectations in quality and size. Moreover, the company has begun making a tangible impact, providing jobs and helping employees support their families—a source of personal pride for Epaphras.
Looking ahead, Epaphras has ambitious goals for the next decade:
- Fishery: To scale from producing 1.5 tons of fish in 2024 to 500 tons by 2034, supplying both local and international markets.
- Poultry: To expand to a yearly production of 5,000 meat chickens and 10,000 egg-laying chickens.
- Fruit Production: To increase to at least 10 tons of fruits annually.
- Youth Capacity Building: To train at least 200 young people annually in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship starting in 2028.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Founders
For those starting, Epaphras offers this advice: “Take action, set clear strategies, and find a network of like-minded people. Remember, you're starting from experience, not from zero.”
Epaphras’ journey is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to positive impact. His story reminds us that even in challenging circumstances, entrepreneurship can be a force for good, uplifting communities and inspiring others to join in building a brighter future.
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