My name is Mbaye. I’m 64 years old and live in Senegal. I came back to my home country after spending a long time in Europe. I didn’t have any specific expertise when I decided to travel abroad in the 80s. I went to Guinea in 1986 and worked as a tailor. From there I went to Morocco, and then on to Europe. I worked in a water filter factory there.

I went to Senegal on holiday in 2009 and bought a water filtration system. I made sure I had all the necessary permissions and thought it would be possible build up a good business with a water filter in Senegal. I also had experience in this area. My water filtration system filters the water and packages it in small plastic bags (250 or 450 millilitres). In local currency they currently cost 25 and 50 CFA Francs, which equates to around 4 and 8 euro cents. People can afford that, even those who don’t earn much.  

I left the filtration system with family members after my holiday. Business was very promising at first. But it wasn’t well managed and the turnover decreased more and more over the years. The Senegalese government had plans to ban thin plastic bags in 2015. I heard about this and realised that the business needed new impetus if it was going to survive. In 2018 I decided to return to Senegal and take control myself.

The path to success: knowledge and accessories

I was looking for help after my return. The Senegalese-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (CSAEM) offered me further training in business administration. It was a one-week training course for returnees and locals. I learned about better management of your own business: what to consider in terms of marketing, how to find new customers and what you should know when hiring staff.  

I also received donations in kind from the CSAEM and the Senegalese Youth Employment Agency ANPEJ: plastic bags that meet international standards; filter cartridges; two 2000-litre water tanks and clear water pumps. These accessories enabled me to revitalise my business. In summer or on public holidays I sell up to 440 water bags a day. It’s around 200 a day in quieter times. Business is good, so I now have 6 permanent employees and 15 temporary assistants. They do things like operate the machinery, or sell the water bags in my shop or at markets.