Bosch group seeks to empower African artisans

Bosch Power Box tool seeks to capitalize on the informal sector; Africa’s biggest economic driving force

By Seth Green

The Bosch Group, a German multinational power company is looking to extend its product to other markets across Africa.

The product dubbed “Bosch Power Box” seeks to assist thousands of tradesmen and artisans in Nigeria including plumbers, carpenters, welders and electricians in growing their business through providing access to the very latest in technology as well as training and technical and financial support in a bid to bring them into the formal, mainstream economy.

In essence, artisans will now be able to buy, lease or rent the very latest power tools. This will contribute a significant improvement in the quality of the products manufactured, while increasing efficiencies. This will assist artisans in growing their businesses.

 

The Sokoban Wood Village was the first of a planned ten Bosch Power Boxes to be established.

 

Samuel Logah, Chairman of Sokoban Carpenters in Kumasi, said: “There are these modern machines coming into the system. The new technology is helping carpenters perform better, and we are trying to move away from the old system of things and embracing the new.”

 

The Jua Kali artisans have been introduced to Bosch power tools through the BPB in Kenya through demonstrations and training.

Artisans had the opportunity to hire the tools for their day to day needs however, there was a growing demand for ownership and financing to enable ownership. Bosch negotiated a micro financing deal which enabled ownership for the artisans.

 

Since its launch in Kumasi, artisans have been visiting the BPB to purchase products and services offered by Bosch, while 50 have registered for training.

 

Dr. Markus Thill, the President of Bosch Africa said, “each Bosch Power Box will also provide courses on product application and safety. Economic prosperity is about creating opportunities from the ground up to benefit individuals, communities, countries and the global community, and this is what we at Bosch aim to do”

 

“Having Bosch is a dream come true in Africa and specifically for us here in Sokoban Wood Village. Artisans did not know before what it takes to build something very fast, they relied only on manpower,” says Kingsley Baafi, Manager at Bosch Power Box in Kumasi.

 

“We will provide product application services on how they can use the tools correctly, maintain and service them and ensure a prolonged lifespan. Another exciting feature is that, through our partnership with Equity Bank, these entrepreneurs will receive financial training and budget management assistance,” said Benjamin Ofori, Regional Sales Director of Bosch Power Box.

 

“At Bosch, we want to use our resources and expertise in developing countries to improve skills, create economic opportunities and growth at a micro level, providing world-class services at affordable prices and improving the lives of all citizens.”

Bosch has operations in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Angola, Mozambique, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana and Tunisia, the company plans to increase this number in the next years.