In 2018, in the quiet town of Lungi, Bai Conteh first acquired the basic knowledge of soap-making. What began as a modest skill learned out of curiosity soon became a passion. By 2020, Bai was producing and selling soap within his small community, using simple household tools. The process was strenuous—mixing ingredients manually in bowls—but Bai remained committed to serving his community with quality, locally-made products.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he discovered Aurora Foundation’s Startup Accelerator Programme. After successfully completing the programme, Bai was selected to join the Investment Readiness Bootcamp, where he spent 18 months deepening his understanding of financial management, bookkeeping, human resources, and general business administration. With each passing month, Bai’s vision became clearer and his business more structured.
In 2023, during an exhibition, Bai’s products caught the attention of the ILO’s Opportunity Salone Programme. Following a successful proposal submission, he was accepted into the programme. This ushered in a new chapter for his enterprise. Through the Opportunity Salone Programme, and with support from Aurora Foundation, Bai received a range of business development trainings tailored to his needs.
He also acquired crucial equipment that significantly enhanced his production capabilities. Before this support, Bai and his team relied on bowls to mix soap—a method that was inefficient and unsafe. With his new mixing machine, he can now produce up to ten large containers of soap a day. He also received a washing powder machine, which has increased his production capacity from 1,000 to 16,000 one-kilogram bags of powder soap per month.
In addition to the machines, Bai was supported with a production center, sealing machines, a tricycle for deliveries, packaging materials, safety gear, office furniture, and more. His product line has expanded to include medicated soap bars and industrial washing powder. His client base has grown from eight distributors in Lungi to twenty across Freetown, Waterloo, Bo, Kenema, and Makeni. His team has also doubled in size, growing from four to eight employees.
Today, Bai is giving back. As a mentor in this year’s Startup Accelerator Programme, he is guiding young entrepreneur Ahmed Ibrahim Sankoh of Tech Inspire SL, sharing lessons learned and inspiring the next generation of Sierra Leonean SMEs. Bai’s journey is a reminder that with determination, community focus, and the right support, local entrepreneurs can truly transform lives—starting with their own.
