solice
A FIRE SAFETY COMPANY BASED IN BUKAVU
Sector: Public services
location: bukavu and goma
Partner since: 2015
The challenge
Fire is a widespread threat across decently populated cities such as Bukavu and Goma. In August 2018, over 400 homes were destroyed in a fire that swept across the Nyalukemba neighbourhood. An estimated 2,500 people were left homeless in the immediate aftermath and to this day many have still been unable to rebuild their homes, having lost everything in the fire.
The response
Solide Bisimwa founded Solice to provide equipment, training and maintenance to businesses and INGOs in Bukavu and Goma
Our support
Ensemble has provided technical and business support for Solice.
The results
Solice already employs four people and have secured contracts with the Bralima Brewery, Medicines Sans Frontiers and the SINELAC electricity company. Our Business Consultant, Heri Chimba is working with Solice to complete a series of tailored learning modules designed to strengthen their approach to accounting, budgeting, customer research, and sales and marketing.
Contracts with INGOs and businesses will secure the financial foundations of the business, but Solide’s ambition is to address the threat impoverished people face in their own homes. Solide is scoping opportunities to launch his own fire response service, as well as set-up community savings platforms for local people to combine their fund to purchase or hire life-saving fire safety equipment.
