Eye on Africa: Barbed Wire Entrepreneurs-How Refugees Are Redefining Business in Kakuma

Part II of IV -The Shirika Plan Series: Refugee Economy & Enterprise

Once known as a temporary refuge for the displaced, Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp is undergoing a transformation that could redefine how the world views refugee economies. Founded in 1992 to house people fleeing conflict in South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Congo, Kakuma has grown into one of Africa's largest refugee settlements, home to over 300,000 people. As of 2025, the Kenyan government has redesignated it as a municipality, opening new paths for governance and economic integration.

In a place where movement is restricted, land is barren, and formal employment opportunities are scarce, refugee entrepreneurs have created thriving businesses under the harshest conditions. Dubbed "Barbed Wire Entrepreneurs," individuals like Adele Mubalama and Mesfin Getahun have proven that necessity breeds innovation. Mubalama, a Congolese mother of six, now employs 26 people in her tailoring business. Getahun has scaled his shop into the largest retail chain in Kakuma—despite loan interest rates topping 20%.

With support from organizations like Inkomoko, which provides low-interest loans and business training, these entrepreneurs are rewriting the narrative around refugees. For businesses, the message is clear: Kakuma and similar communities represent a vast, underutilized labor and consumer base ready to contribute. Tapping into this potential could deliver both profit and profound social impact for all the stakeholders, having a huge impact on the future of displaced people everywhere.

Tags: #refugee entrepreneurs, #Kakuma business growth, #microfinance impact, #underutilized labor force, #African economic development

Ebengo Honore Alfani is a refugee leader and founder of Advocacy Initiative for Youth Development (AdIYD2) in Kakuma, Kenya. He co-authored the Peace and Conflict Resolution campaign, and leads community development initiatives. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebengo-honore/

Sources: Associated Press, Inkomoko, UNHCR, ODI Global