In a bold leap for Burundi’s footwear industry, Wilson Manirakiza has made history by becoming the first Burundian to design and manufacture a homegrown shoe brand, aptly named “YeboYebo”. His company, Wilson Shoes Manufacture(WSM), is based in Rutegama village, Gitega province, and is already drawing attention for its innovation, ambition, and social impact.
Wilson Shoes Manufacture (WSM), which officially began operations in 2023, is more than a business—it’s a mission. “I chose self-reliance as a path to improve myself and contribute to my country’s development,” said Manirakiza. “This is a profession I will carry until retirement. It creates jobs for young people and addresses critical needs in our communities.”
The vision behind “YeboYebo” shoes was sparked by a sobering reality: many Burundians, especially children, still walk barefoot due to the high cost of shoes. Some even drop out of school because they lack proper footwear. “That pushed me to act,” Manirakiza said. “Why should we rely on imports when we have the talent and determination to build something of our own?”
Manirakiza co-founded WSM in 2020, but it wasn’t until 2023 that production took off, thanks to a startup grant from the Youth Investment Bank (BIJE). Launching the business, however, was anything but easy. “Accessing capital was a challenge. Even today, foreign currency shortages make it hard to import necessary materials,” he explained. “But we remain hopeful—once we begin exporting, those challenges will ease.”
Despite limited resources, WSM is already seeing remarkable growth. The company can now manufacture a wide range of custom footwear tailored to customer specifications, a technical milestone that reflects the team’s expanding expertise. “We’ve come a long way. We can now produce any type of “YeboYebo” shoe a client brings us—and more,” Manirakiza noted proudly.
Looking ahead, he has his sights set high. “Our dream is to build a large-scale factory on the level of Nike and begin exporting our products internationally,” he said.
For young Burundians, Manirakiza has a message: “Never give up. Don’t wait for things to be perfect to start. Work hard, stay focused, and have a vision. That’s how progress is made.”
From a small village in Gitega to aspirations of global reach, Wilson Manirakiza and shoes are walking a path of resilience, innovation, and national pride—one step at a time.
