Mariam Libanio has been running her business for the last 12 years and in that time has taken out 11-12 loans from ACFB. With each loans she expands her stock – she now sells nail polish, cosmetics a variety of hair products and more recently shoes, which have proved to be very popular. She has two children, of 11 and 6 years, who attend school, but this is difficult for the family because the school fees are more than what her husband earns. This is why Mariam needs to work. As for the future progression of her business, she is aware that many of the cosmetic products are increasingly being sold by competitors in the area so she would like to branch out into purchasing creams and hair pieces from Lomé because such products are sold much less widely in the area.
Emma Howard, 5th June 2012