The informal sector is full of many young people who, by dint of working, have been able to find a place of choice for themselves. Ardjouma Traoré, a graduate in Modern Literature is one of those young people who stand out from the crowd by their activity. We met him on Wednesday May 24, 2023 in front of the Institute of Health Sciences in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Installed in front of INSSA in 2021, Ardjouma Traoré, commonly called Monsieur le Noir by his customers, is a shoe merchant. He says he started this job in 2018 when he was still in 2e year of license as a traveling salesman. Everything suggests that it was the passion he had for this activity and the relationship he had with the girls that pushed him to get started. “I liked the trade even being in the village. When I arrived here, since I deal with girls I decided to do something related to them. Reason why I started selling the shoes,” he explains. Listening to him, the beginning was very difficult since I had to reconcile studies and business”. Also, he adds, to have the brand shoes it was complicated because the wholesalers only gave me according to my financial means, which did not allow me to have enough ».
In addition to these difficulties mentioned, Ardjouma had to face the mockery of his comrades and other people who believe that the activity is reserved only for girls, all of which could demotivate him. ” When I started, there were comrades who made me understand that I was a student and that therefore I shouldn’t get into selling shoes. When I went out to sell too, there were people who told me to stop because for them it was shameful”, he said. As for profits, Traore says he manages to resolve a few instances on his own. “ I manage to provide for my basic needs. I am independent thanks to these sales”.
This graduate in Modern Letters attests to maintaining good relations with clients. ” So far, I have not encountered any major difficulties with clients. Even if it happens that he has unpaid credits, we manage to understand each other”. However, this young licensee must face certain problems linked to climatic hazards, for lack of a store. “ In 2022, I had huge losses due to rain. It has played a big role in my business”. Beyond the sale of shoes, Mr. Traoré also sells and delivers many other products such as local soumbala and mangoes. According to him, it’s a way for him to help his mother who has been producing it for a long time.
Norrockom Edwige KAM
Yéli Valentine KAM/ Interns
