1. Since winning the Entrepreneurship Award one year ago what are the concrete changes that have occured for Raphael Group:
Increase in turnover? The company’s turnover for the year 2015/2016 is USD 7,272,728.56. This shows an increase of USD 1,249,279.64 from the reported figure of 2014/2015
Increase in exports? We are now recognized and we have become member of Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC). This is a non for profit Organization which has assisted us a lot on capturing export markets. We are now exporting rice and broken rice to new companies in Malawi, ie, Nkhotakhota Mills Co. Ltd and Carlsberg Company. We have also received an order of supplying 10,000 Tons of sugar beans to SpectraScape Co. Ltd in South Africa. Furthermore, we are also supplying large quantities of rice to some of our new agents in Mozambique.
The company has also been recognized by new big companies in Tanzania, which buys products from us. We are currently selling to;
- Mohamed Enterprises Co. Ltd (Rice)
- Murzah Wilmar East Africa Ltd (Rice and broken rice)
- White sorghum (New product from the company) to Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL)
Increase in staff numbers? Six new permanent staff have been employed where 3 of them are agronomists, 2 store keepers and 1 accountant. Temporary labors are also moving up to 120 per day.
Increase in investors? We are now working with UKAID/DFID on a two years bean project so called Raphael Group Bean Marketing Center (RGBMC) as our new investor. NMB Bank and CRDB Bank have already opened their branches at our site and they have already started operating. In addition to financing us, they are also working with our farmers on rice and beans.
2. Have you been approached by people who were not at AFIF 2015 but heard about you winning first prize? If so, who and what has happened? The prize has also motivated NMB to work with more farmers contracted by RGL for this coming season 2016/2017. EAGC approached us and now we are members of their organization and Bank of Africa (BOA) also approached us and they are now financing our farmers through warehouse receipt system.
3. What has this Award done for you personally? I am now Internationally known by a number of stakeholders in the value chain RGL is working through. Since AFIF 2015, I have travelled abroad four times for presentation and defending of proposals. All visitors at our company wonder how possible was it for me winning the prize under competition of different companies in Africa. Shortly, I have become popular. Furthermore, I expect to travel to USA this December 2016 for a meeting at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
4. A year later, what insights can you share with business people thinking of applying for the upcoming Entreprenurship Award? For those who only tries to see if they can win, should only present their business operations during application. For those who applies to win, they must come up with innovative ideas of their complete value chain business operations, which in the end, shows how beneficial their ideas are, to society and all stakeholders in their value chains.
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