Ephraim Rwamwenge has made a career from turning what was deemed mediocre into world-class merchandise.

A career entrepreneur who started by selling sweets in primary school and printed lyrics in high school, in senior high he teamed up with a photographer to take pictures of his fellow students.

He studied business studies and as a requirement for graduating, he had to come up with a business plan and raise money for the startup. He came up with a place to sell pies, which got him a pass and made him money.

At 17 years old, while waiting to join campus, he registered his first business, which focused on ICT. In campus, he studied management accounting.

He later moved from Botswana to Rwanda, where his family had relocated and there he started the Rwa Business Group, in Kicukiro. The for-profit group is comprised of a soft commodities trading company that mainly deals with sugar and wheat flour; a technology firm that deals with mobile technology and data; an investments firm; a micrologistics company called Fast Freight; a gas distribution company; a coffee farm and coffee company. All these eight companies make up the Rwa Business Group.

Currently, he lives with his parents and enjoys every moment of it, especially when they eat dinner together. They also pray and read the Bible together.

At just 23-years-old, Mr Rwamwenge is passionate about life and enjoys contributing to society by creating employment through his businesses.

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What’s your off-duty passion?

It has to be music. I used to be a music producer and I had a guitar in the office, which I would play at times but it drew too much attention so I took it back home. I used to compose songs but now I do covers of popular songs.

If you hadn’t turned into who you are now, what else would you be?

Two things: I would be a music producer and a footballer. When I was young I used to play professional football in Botswana as a striker in the top 10 junior league. At 12-years-old, I was accepted to Manchester United Football Academy but my father preferred that I stay home and study. I played in the Notwane FC, which was in the top 10 of the junior premier league in Botswana.

What signifies your personal style?

I have a mantra: The way I dress is a reflection of the respect I have for myself and an expression of my personality. I love suits but I also come to work in a t-shirt and happy socks.

How do you manage your wardrobe?

I have an amazing girlfriend who knows what I like and she gets me what I need like embroidered shirts, pocket squares, jackets, blazers for my formal days. When I travel, I buy clothes and sometimes I get custom-made outfits. However, my wardrobe is full of jeans and t-shirts.

When in East Africa, where are you most likely to be whiling away your time on a Saturday afternoon?

I like Kampala because my sister is there and I also have friends there. I also like Nairobi and while here in Rwanda, I love going to Lake Muhazi where my grandmother stays. I enjoy spending time with her.

Describe your best destination yet in East Africa?
I would recommend Fort Portal in Uganda. On the continent, I would recommend Cape Town for its versatility and Dakar for its culture and scenery.

Anywhere on your must-visit list?

Zanzibar because it is highly recommended and I also want to visit Iceland. I recently visited Mauritius but I want to go back and experience even more.

What do you see as East Africa’s greatest strength?

The Kiswahili language, because if you go to any part of East Africa you are bound to find a Swahili speaker.

What’s your best collection?

It’s a combination of paintings and recently vinyl records of African musicians like Fela Kuti.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve received?

My girlfriend and I lived in the same neighbourhood, which was full of mosquitoes. Two days before she travelled, she bought me a mosquito repellent and wrote a note saying: “I am not leaving you in the struggle alone so this should help you.” To date that was the most thoughtful thing I have received and that is why she is now my girlfriend.

Your last great read?

I will give you my top five: First is The Richest Man In Babylon by George Samuel Clason, which talks about personal finance; Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, which teaches about success; What To Do When You Want To Give Up by Allon Raiz and Trevor Waller. The other is the Greatest Salesman by Og Mandino and lastly Zero to One by early Facebook investors Peter Thiel and Blake Masters on how to innovate.

Which movie had an impact on you?

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is by far my best movie of all time.

What’s your favourite music?

I am a huge groupie of Sauti Sol and the little Swahili I know is because of them. I would want them to perform at my wedding.

Your favourite website?

I visit Facebook and Twitter a lot and news websites, KCB and Ecobank, and YouTube for a lot of content.

What’s a constant in your fridge?
“Agashya” juice, cake, ice-cream and milk.