Blog

As part of the year 2026, dedicated to entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, professors at the University of Goma (UNIGOM), gathered within the Association of Professors of the University of Goma (APUGOM), have launched a collective entrepreneurial initiative aimed at strengthening their commitment to socio-economic development.

This dynamic is materialized by the creation of UJUZI EAST AFRICA (UEA), a company led by a group of professors from UNIGOM, with the ambition to translate academic skills into concrete projects for the benefit of the university community and society at large.

Intervention Sectors of UEA SARL

UJUZI EAST AFRICA operates through twelve (12) major projects, covering strategic areas of production, services, and academic support. These include:

- UJUZI–Provenderie, focused on livestock feed production;

- UJUZI Micro-finance, dedicated to financial inclusion and socio-economic support;

- UJUZI - Institute, a research center dedicated to assisting student-researchers in writing their academic papers and providing scientific support;

- UJUZI Transport and Tourism Agency, oriented towards mobility services;

- UJUZI–CACAO, an agro-industrial project;

- UJUZI Market, dedicated to the marketing of agricultural and local products;

- UJUZI Chicken and Eggs, specialized in raising broiler chickens and egg production;

- UJUZI Internat, dedicated to student accommodation;

- UJUZI Media and Communication, dedicated to media coverage of academic and para-academic ceremonies;

- UJUZI Water, destined to produce mineral water;

- UJUZI Hygiene and Public Sanitation, devoted to manufacturing liquid soaps, disinfectants, detergents, cosmetics, denatured alcohol, and recycling waste;

- UJUZI Juice, dedicated to the production of juices and wines.

Through this initiative, professors aim to contribute to economic growth, create job opportunities, particularly for students trained within Congolese universities, and produce goods and services beneficial to society. This approach also aims to strengthen the autonomy and financial stability of teachers while improving their living conditions.

Actions Already Implemented

Several concrete actions have already been initiated, including the establishment of the legal framework for the company and the effective launch of some pilot projects. The micro-finance project is already operational and has provided financial support to several beneficiaries, including assistants, heads of work, and administrative staff at the University of Goma. However, it should be noted that this initiative is gradually extending to other members of the community, including those outside UNIGOM.

Among the projects that have already entered their operational phase, UJUZI Market concretely demonstrates the entrepreneurial dynamic led by the professors of the University of Goma. This project aims to enhance, market, and bring to market local agricultural products (Organic), particularly those arising from initiatives within the university community.

To date, the first productions are already available. Approximately 150 kilograms of tomatoes, 500 chickens, and 40 rabbits have been produced and are ready to be sold on the market, marking the effective transition from the reflection phase to the economic action phase. This production not only demonstrates the viability of the project but also the professors' ability to generate tangible and immediate results.

Through UJUZI Market, UNIGOM teachers intend to structure sustainable marketing circuits, bring producers closer to consumers, and contribute to local food security while providing economic opportunities to members of the university community.

An Inclusive Initiative Serving the University Community

Beyond the teachers, the projects led by UJUZI EAST AFRICA benefit several categories of university staff, contributing to strengthening internal solidarity, socio-economic stability, and supporting academic and professional pathways.

For the Managing Director of the UJUZI EAST AFRICA project, Professor Gervais Bayibika, this entrepreneurial initiative asserts a new posture of the teaching staff: “The professors of the University of Goma have chosen to go beyond the production of knowledge to take concrete actions. Through UJUZI EAST AFRICA, we demonstrate that teachers can be direct actors of socio-economic change. There is great satisfaction in seeing these projects benefit not only professors but also assistants, heads of work, administrative staff, students, and gradually, other members of the community."