Solar-charging backpacks are transforming students' lives in Tanzania: Here's how

Many families rely on expensive kerosene lamps for light in these parts of the country.

As part of efforts to deal with the situation and propose a solution, Innocent James, a Tanzanian himself, who grew up in Arusha without electricity, has created solar-powered backpacks to help children read after dark.

His company, Soma Bags, makes school bags with built-in solar panels that charge a reading light.

The idea began as a small project using old cement bags, a sewing machine, and a solar panel.

Today, Soma Bags is a growing business which has sold over 36,000 solar backpacks across Africa, providing affordable light to families and schools.

James, now 33, was raised by his mother and grandmother, both teachers, to love reading.

At university, he saw many children skipping school and spending time at video game cafés. Frustrated by this, he dropped out of school during his final semester and used his tuition money to start a mobile library.

His library cart visited schools and created reading clubs that attracted hundreds of children. This experience inspired him to create Soma Bags, which has since become a lifeline for children in rural areas.

Most of Soma’s customers are families and schools in rural Tanzania, but the company is expanding to other African countries and Europe. Soma Bags are now sold in Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and even to fashion brands in Europe and Kenya.

Over 200 charities have bought bags to distribute to children in need.

“Seeing kids arrive with my bags makes me so proud,” said James. “It reminds me why I started this journey,” he told CNN.

The bags come in different sizes. Smaller ones include lights for reading, while larger ones can charge phones and other devices.

The company has won awards and support from organisations like the UNDP and the British government.