“EVERYDAY, I charge about 100 phones which is a K1000 per day,” shares one Lusaka man who has turned the load shedding crisis into an opportunity.
Lottie Siame, is an entrepreneur that has found an opportunity in the latest energy crisis.
Looking at how load shedding impacted his production work, Siame decided to look for alternatives on how he could help himself.
Afraid that his production would suffer and prevent him from providing for his family, Siame sacrificed to get a genset particularly for his works which he later discovered was a path to greener pastures.
“I bought it just for my business only but after some time, I started charging for people
Just by Twikatane ground where farmers gather thrice a week and they have no where to charge their phones.So I found out there are 500 maketeers there and I discovered I could charge up to 100 phones per day. I did a lot of research then I said let me go for it.”
“The response was so overwhelming before I could even set up the charging spot as they saw my genset, I had 10 phones in my hands just from the first day and in that day we charged about 80 phones so that’s how I knew I could benefit from this,” he shared.
The charging business has now turned into a mobile one where he moves either through town or area to charge people’s phones.
“It’s mobile, I move with my vehicle and bring out the chargers and people charge. I can be in town today I find a place I set up they start coming. It’s possible to make more money. Even students are bringing to charge their laptops. If they are using their own charger, it’s K10 if they are using mine, I charge K15,” he disclosed.
Siame, who is also an events MC and public relations practitioner by profession has also created employment for young people through the same.
“I have one who is in charge of charging phones and one [in charge of] getting cards and recording details,” said Siame.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 28, 2024
