IFC Supports Goodlife Pharmacy as it Opens Branch in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Hosting Area

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Kakuma, Kenya, November 16, 2022 – Supported by IFC, Goodlife Pharmacy today became the first major pharmaceutical retailer to open a branch in Kenya's Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area, increasing access to quality pharmaceuticals, medicines, and other products and services for thousands of refugees and Kenyans in the surrounding area.  

Goodlife Pharmacy Kakuma is one of dozens of businesses establishing a presence in and around Kakuma with support from IFC's Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF). The fund, launched in 2019, is helping drive job creation, opportunity, and private sector growth in a region that hosts more than 230,000 refugees and asylum seekers from several African countries.  

An opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at the new pharmacy held today was attended by H.E. Hon. Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan, the Governor of Turkana County; members of the newly appointed Turkana County government; Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Kenya; and Justin Melvin, Goodlife Pharmacy's Chief Operating Officer.

"Thanks to the support of IFC, this launch marks a significant milestone for Goodlife Pharmacy as we expand our portfolio of over 115 locations in Kenya and Uganda," said Goodlife's Melvin. "As the largest pharmacy chain in East Africa, our mission is to bring health closer to the community at a lower cost."

"Congratulations to Goodlife, whose presence in Kakuma will improve access to quality health products and services making it more convenient for those seeking medication," said IFC's Arif. "IFC is committed to supporting private sector development and opportunity in challenging environments, including to refugee and host communities."

Goodlife Pharmacy is one of over 40 companies that have benefitted from IFC's KKCF, which offers incentives to small and medium-sized businesses seeking to provide essential goods and services in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei area. KKCF is also working to attract larger private sector companies, like Goodlife Pharmacy, to the area, by providing hands-on support and advisory services to companies.

Goodlife Pharmacy committed to expanding into Kakuma following the 2018 publication of IFC's "Kakuma as a Marketplace" study, which highlighted the economic pursuits, challenges, and potential of the area. KKCF provided financial, logistical, and employee recruitment support to Goodlife Pharmacy during its entry into Kakuma. IFC has previously partnered with and invested in Goodlife.

IFC is also working with government partners in Turkana County to create a more conducive policy environment for private sector growth in the region.

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 Goodlife Pharmacy

Goodlife Pharmacy is the largest pharmacy chain and health hub in East Africa, reaching 1.7 million people with access to essential medicines across 115 locations in Kenya and Uganda. Goodlife provides trusted pharmaceuticals and high-quality over-the-counter medicines to its patients, as well as individual customer care, beauty and personal care products, and digital and home delivery services. Goodlife was founded in 2014 and since its inception, the company has worked to lower the barriers for patients to access high quality healthcare in the region to receive world-class services, medicines, and experience. Through this approach, Goodlife is having a direct impact on the quality of life and wellness of East Africa's growing population and revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered in the region. For more information, go to: www.goodlife.co.ke.

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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 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 global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

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