Creating small businesses so refugees and host communities can earn better incomes in Kenya
In Kenya’s arid northwest, Turkana County is home to one of the world’s largest refugee communities. In a pastoral region with few jobs, entrepreneurship can offer a path to steady incomes and a better life.
The International Trade Centre (ITC), working with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has identified three areas where entrepreneurs could find both local and global markets: beekeeping, artisanal crafts, and digital services.
Turkana’s climate lends itself to beekeeping, making honey production a sustainable business. Local handicrafts can also find good markets. And digital services allow people to learn portable skills that they can use anywhere with Internet access. That’s especially attractive among the youth.
The project focuses on improving employability, developing technical skills around selected products, and making small businesses and producers more competitive. There’s a particular emphasis on women-owned enterprises.
ITC and KOICA led a joint monitoring mission in Turkana County from 19 to 21 August 2024.
‘The county is pleased to continue its collaboration with KOICA to support communities in need,’ said Turkana Deputy Governor John Erus Lopeyok.'The Government is committed to enhancing existing programmes that align with our development and investment strategies.’
The project titled ‘Promoting Sustainable Socio-Economic Development and Creating Market-based Livelihood Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities in Kenya’, is a is comprehensive effort funded by KOICA and ITC.
ITC implements the project in collaboration with the Turkana County Government, Kenya Good Neighbors (KGN), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and others.
‘This is a timely project, leveraging ITC’s experience in key value chains and bringing innovative interventions to skill youth from both host and refugee communities,’ said Janghee Im, Country Director for KOICA in Kenya. ‘I was impressed to meet and engage with the digital trainees who shared their “learning and earning” testimonies. KOICA looks forward to working closely with the County Government to brining sustainable economic livelihoods.’
This initiative is part of broader efforts to build self-reliance and resilience among refugees and host communities.
