IFC-Supported KKCF Business Competition Announces Winners to Drive Development in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Hosting Area

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Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2022 – Businesses led by local Kenyan entrepreneurs and refugees were today named among the first 40 winners of a business competition managed by IFC and AECF to support development, job creation, and opportunity in Kenya's Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area.

The winning companies of the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) Competitive Business Challenge will receive grants and technical support to launch or grow operations and drive economic development in Turkana West subcounty, which has a population of about 450,000, including 225,000 refugees from various parts of Africa. Runners-up to the competition will also benefit from tailored technical support to build the capacity of their businesses.

The business competition is part of IFC's approach to empower host communities and refugees by supporting private sector development in Kenya's Kakuma camp and the surrounding host community.

The 40 winning businesses announced today are expected to create hundreds of jobs, including for women and young people, and to invest their own funds to establish and expand their operations in Kenya's Turkana County.

These companies include some working in health, energy, agribusiness, financial services, education, media, construction, and light manufacturing.

The winners of the Local Enterprise Development (LED) window, which focuses on smaller businesses based in Turkana County, are: Abdulle Shop; Artech East Africa Ltd.; Atta Nayece Media Services Ltd.; Blue Light of Prince Academy; Clearface Printers; Dan Fabricators; Dembu Investments; Eruko Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.; GLAP Enterprises; Itopride Chemist; Justin Abraham; Kakuma Medical Clinic; Kakuma Peana Bookshop; Kalobeyei Main Medical Centre; Nawountos Building and Construction Enterprises Ltd.; Neema Hotel; Nemlon Enterprise; Unity Bakery;  Rama Beauty Parlour; Sajop Automobile Enterprises; Shujaa Customs Prints; Steve King Bakers; Gateway Diagnosis and Healthcare Services; Tulu Tulu Traders; Usafi Green Energy Ltd.; Lorot Sons and Traders General Shop; Mount Sayun's Farm Inputs and Supplies Agrovet.

The winners of the Private Sector (PSW) window, which focuses on private sector companies that are based in Turkana County or would like to expand operations to Turkana County, are: Renewvia Energy Kenya Ltd.; Rafode Ltd.; Sunken Ltd.; The Hive Ltd.; Green Innovation Ventures Enterprises Ltd.; and Ziwani Poultry Enterprise Ltd.

The winners of the Social Enterprise (SEW) window, which targets social enterprises currently present in Kakuma and those wanting to set up businesses in Kakuma and Kalobeyei areas, are: AEC Kenya; Hydroponics Africa Ltd.; K-DE Igratium International Ltd.; Kidogo Innovations Ltd.; Sanivation Ltd.; Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre; and Wessex Social Ventures.

More information about the companies can be found at https://kkcfke.org/competition-winners/

The next round of winners will be announced in the second half of 2022.

"Congratulations to these companies, which have a strong potential to not just uplift the lives of refugees and host communities in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei area, but also positively impact those living in the greater Turkana County," said Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, IFC Regional Director for Eastern Africa. "IFC is committed to supporting development in challenging environments, and through this competition, we show our support in highlighting sustainable private sector solutions to help marginalized and vulnerable groups."

"We have undergone a rigorous and transparent process to select these companies whose innovative business models demonstrate immediate and long-term positive impact in the form of job creation, improved incomes, provision of new services and better access to products," said Victoria Sabula, AECF CEO. "The AECF is dedicated to supporting businesses in places that are seen as riskier for commercial investors. We look forward to supporting these companies in scaling up their operations for the betterment of refugee and host communities in the Kakuma-Kalobeyei area."         

Besides supporting economic development in and around Kakuma through this competition, IFC is also working with government partners in Turkana County and UNHCR to create a more conducive policy environment for private sector growth in Turkana.

About KKCF

KKCF is a five-year program designed to support private sector investment and unlock the economic potential of refugees and their hosts in the Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area in northern Kenya. KKCF aims to attract private companies to the area and support local entrepreneurs to create jobs and improve service provision in the Kakuma area. The program targets all private sector players, from small companies and medium-sized family businesses to social enterprises and large firms.

KKCF is supported by five development agencies: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW, and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the European Union. For more information, visit www.kkcfke.org

About AECF

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a non-profit institution that supports early and growth stage businesses in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors to reduce poverty, promote resilient communities and create jobs through private sector investment. AECF invests in businesses that strive to find innovative solutions to tackle development challenges across Sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim is to transform lives, one business at a time by funding early and growth stage businesses that improve the lives of rural communities and display potential for credible commercial viability and growth. For more information, visit www.aecfafrica.org

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About IFC

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

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