How Refugee Entrepreneurs Are Growing Businesses in Kenya's Kakuma Camp
Kakuma, 3 August 2026
Despite severe funding cuts and security challenges in August 2026, resilient refugee-led businesses in Kakuma Camp are successfully driving local economic growth and fostering community peace.
A Grassroots Drive for Self-Reliance
In the heart of Kakuma, refugee-led organisations are proving to be the primary catalysts for sustainable development and community empowerment. A prime example is the Fraternity for Development Integrated (FRADI), which as early as 2019 launched a pioneering waste management and recycling project in Kakuma 2 to address pressing environmental, social, and climate challenges [1]. Today, in August 2026, these efforts have matured into robust community networks that not only clean the environment but also create local employment. By transforming waste into reusable materials, FRADI has established a circular economy model that inspires other youth groups across the camp to view environmental challenges as viable business opportunities [1].
Nurturing the Next Generation
Simultaneously, social enterprises are focusing heavily on human capital to ensure long-term resilience. The refugee-led organisation Restore Hope for Vulnerable Children (RHVC) currently supports over 212 vulnerable children and young people through a holistic suite of programmes covering education, school feeding, child protection, and digital skills training [2]. To secure the future of these vital services, RHVC is actively seeking a remote volunteer Resource Mobilization & Fundraising Officer to design a long-term sustainability strategy and drive donor engagement [2]. If the organisation successfully doubles its capacity through these fundraising efforts, it hopes to expand its reach to support 424 young people [2]. As the leadership of RHVC beautifully summarises: “Together we can give vulnerable children food, education, protection, and hope for a brighter future” [2].
Overcoming Historical Economic Hurdles
The current economic vitality of Kakuma’s businesses is especially remarkable when contrasted with past hardships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp’s economy faced severe disruptions. In March 2020, the Kenyan government mandated the closure of social venues like hotels and bars, and imposed a strict national curfew [1]. Local entrepreneurs, such as Machar Malith Geu—who operated a video hall in Kakuma’s Hongkong market—saw their primary sources of income vanish overnight [1]. This was compounded in September 2021 by a drastic reduction in overseas remittances, which left many small business owners in life-threatening situations due to food distribution disruptions and restricted movement [1]. Yet, the community’s innate resourcefulness shone through; for instance, Samson, a young Congolese designer who arrived in the camp in 2015, pivoted his business in May 2020 to produce free face masks for his fellow refugees [1].
Fostering Peace and Regional Integration
Local business growth has also served as a powerful bridge between the refugee population and the host community. Infrastructure developments, such as the Lokipoto Water Supply launched in Turkana West in June 2021, have historically laid the groundwork for shared resources and peaceful coexistence [1]. This collaborative approach to self-reliance is mirrored across the region. For example, in neighbouring Uganda, representatives from the Netherlands Embassy visited Rhino Camp on 28 July 2026 to witness how the Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS Partnership is successfully helping refugees access official registration, skills training, and economic pathways [3]. By focusing on local talent, sustainable resource management, and strategic partnerships, Kakuma’s entrepreneurs are shifting the narrative from aid dependency to active economic leadership [1][2][3].