Locally Produced Detergents Relieves Household Financial Pressures and Ups Yambio’s Hygiene

By Waure Eddy

The use of locally produced detergents for cleanliness is quickly picking up in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State by storm.

At the center of it are liquid and bar soaps produced by local entrepreneurs including the Kosta-Kosta Multipurpose Liquid Company Ltd.

Owned by Elinama George Costa, a businessman operating in Yambio, the products come with a high value and yet cheap, replacing most of the expensive imported detergents.

“Our products can be used for various purposes; from hand and car washing to dishwashing and office cleaning,” Costa told The Dawn in an interview in Yambio.

Costa stepped into the soap making business while in Juba, way back in 2014, setting up the Kosta-Kosta Multipurpose Liquid Company Ltd.

He reveals his vision as growing out of a desire to meet the community’s needs for hygienic products that are both affordable and effective.

Now in Yambio, communities are already benefiting from the skills he gained through training programs in the neighboring countries of Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Costa aims at constantly providing high quality essential cleaning products for local residents, and as well contributing to the economic growth and self-sufficiency in the country.

By making soap more affordable, Costa hopes to alleviate some of the financial burdens on families while contributing to improved hygiene and sanitation in Yambio. The initiative not only provides job opportunities but also represents a step toward self-reliance and a stronger local economy in Western Equatoria State, according to several people The Dawn interviewed.

This is a believe that entrepreneur Costa holds, that providing high-quality soap at an affordable price will not only ease financial pressure on families and also promote better hygiene and sanitation in Yambio.

“This is a step towards greater economic self-reliance for Western Equatoria State, offering both employment opportunities and access to essential products for all,” he said.

And Businesspeople are already enthusiastically picking up trading in the locally produced detergents, much more than those imported.

Locally production is credited for growth of developing nations like China. Now the world’s fastest growing economy, China’s rapid growth centered on the local industrial policy which was the most frequently used tools, according to the article, “Local industrial policy and productivity: evidence from China” authored by Jongjing Chen, Han Feng and Hong Zhou.  They said that although local industrial policies attract more low productivity firms, they do achieve their purpose of improving the productivity of the targeted sectors, at firm and city levels, and especially in the long run.

Currently, Costa’s company alone supplies the market with approximately four cartons of bar soap monthly, each containing 25 bars, and including a specialized medicinal bathing soap made with natural ingredients of Aloe-Vera, lemon, and pawpaw leaves.

Liquid soap produced by Kosta-Kosta Multipurpose Liquid Company Ltd sells at a retail price of 2,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), and the bar soap at 1,500 SSP. In contrast, imported soap on the market cost up to 4,000 SSP, placing them out of reach for many families.

In the production line in Yambio, Costa employs a group of five women who also venture into distribution.

For the production of 150 bars of soap, 40 liters of palm oil locally sourced are used, supplemented with other chemicals imported from Juba or neighboring Uganda.

“What began as an idea with a few liters of palm oil has become a mission. This is about empowerment, resilience, and providing a future for our youth,” Costa said.

“This journey is about creating more than just a product. It’s about building hope, creating opportunities, and giving back to the youth, so they too can transform their lives,” he said.

“My community is the reason I work hard. I aim to ease their burdens and make quality, affordable soap that brings dignity and cleanliness to every home.”

Alice Juma, a Yambio resident, described the soap as “very effective,” noting that she has been using it only, since it was introduced onto the market in Yambio.

“Our elders can now afford this soap because it’s priced for everyone. We’re grateful, but we need more support from well-wishers or local authorities to keep this product available,” Juma said.

Like Juma, John William, a retailer said a locally produced box of soap would cost him 55,000 SSP as opposed to 85,000 SSP he would pay for imported soap.

“The product is doing great for the community,” William told The Dawn.