Competition launched to support enterprise projects in Kenya refugee holding area

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The African Enterprise Challenge Fund  (AECF) and partners have launched a global competition for private sector and social enterprises projects to support enterprise in a Kenya refugee holding area.

The competition was launched on Tuesday in Kakuma refugee holding area in northern Kenya.

It seeks to support investment, development and job creation among the refugees.

The AECF partners in the project are the International Trade Centre (ITC), a member of the World Bank Group, UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Turkana County Government.

The AECF is a leading development finance organisation that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs and leverage investments.

This is in order to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalised communities in Africa.

Launched in 2008, AECF has invested in 292 businesses across more than 40 value chains and 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Innovative businesses and social enterprises from around the world are invited to submit proposals for private sector projects at Kakuma, the AEFC said in a press statement.

Kakuma is home to roughly 300,000 people of different nationalities, almost 200,000 of whom are refugees and asylum seekers.

Victoria Sabula, AECF Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very happy at AECF to be a partner to this innovative programme that will bring new opportunities to people in Kakuma.

Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, IFC Regional Director for Eastern Africa, said, “Refugees rely on humanitarian aid for immediate support."

However, the private sector has an important role to play providing longer-term development solutions and opportunities, added the official.

-0- PANA DJ/MA 11Nov2020