Bring Young Refugee Future

Empowering Refugee Youth, Building Brighter Futures.

Millions of young refugees face limited access to education, skills, and economic opportunities, leaving their futures uncertain. Mwangaza Business Hub solves this problem by creating a platform inside Kakuma Refugee Camp that empowers refugee youth through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and access to resources. Our unique approach combines business innovation with community-driven solutio

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated November 2025

2023

Established

53 2025

5

Countries

Community

Target group

Through my innovation, I want to transform education for refugee youth from being limited, passive, and survival-focused into something empowering, practical, and future-oriented. From Barriers to Access: Refugee youth often face restricted opportunities for formal schooling. I hope to see education become more inclusive, reaching every young person regardless of their status.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

I created Mwangaza Business Hub because young refugees, like myself, face enormous barriers to education, skills, and economic opportunities. Living in Kakuma Refugee Camp since 2011, I saw how many talented youth had dreams but lacked the tools to achieve them. This innovation was born to bridge that gap — to provide training, mentorship, and resources that turn refugee challenges into opportunities.

My goal is simple: to bring young refugee future by empowering youth to build sustainable livelihoods, uplift their communities, and prove that refugees are not defined by displacement, but by resilience and potential.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Training Workshops: Refugee youth gather in small groups to learn entrepreneurship, digital skills, financial literacy, and leadership.

Mentorship Programs: Experienced entrepreneurs and community leaders guide young refugees, helping them turn ideas into real businesses.

Business Incubation: Refugee-led startups receive support — from business planning to access to micro-loans or seed funding.

Community Collaboration: Refugees and host communities work together, sharing resources and building inclusive solutions.

Innovation Space: A physical or virtual hub where young people can brainstorm, test ideas, and showcase their projects.

Impact Outcomes: Refugee youth gain confidence, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy, proving that displacement does not limit potential.

Example Scenario
Imagine a young refugee with a talent for tailoring. At Mwangaza Business Hub, they:

Learn how to manage finances and market their products.

Receive mentorship from someone who has built a small business before.

Access shared tools or micro-loans to buy sewing equipment.

Grow their business, employ others, and serve both refugee and host communities.

How has it been spreading?

Word of Mouth in Kakuma: Refugee youth share their experiences with peers, inspiring others to join workshops and mentorship programs.

Community Networks: Local leaders, teachers, and refugee associations help connect young people to the hub’s opportunities.

Partnerships: Collaborations with NGOs, humanitarian organizations, and social enterprises amplify your reach by providing resources and visibility.

Digital Presence: Social media and online platforms allow your story and mission to reach audiences outside Kakuma, attracting supporters and potential partners.

Success Stories: As refugee youth launch businesses or projects through the hub, their achievements serve as living proof, motivating more participants and spreading hope.

Scaling Vision: The model is designed to be replicated in other refugee camps or marginalized communities, showing that empowerment through entrepreneurship can work anywhere.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

Expanded Focus: Originally centered on entrepreneurship, I added training in digital literacy, financial management, and leadership to give refugee youth a broader skill set.

Mentorship Programs: Introduced structured mentorship, connecting young refugees with experienced entrepreneurs and community leaders for guidance.

Micro-Support Systems: Added small-scale access to resources like shared tools, seed funding, or micro-loans to help youth turn ideas into real businesses.

Community Integration: Modified the model to include collaboration between refugees and host communities, ensuring inclusivity and mutual growth.

Digital Outreach: Leveraged social media and online platforms to spread awareness, share success stories, and attract external partners.

Scalable Model: Adapted the hub’s framework so it can be replicated in other refugee camps or marginalized communities beyond Kakuma.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Steps to Get Involved
Join a Workshop: Start by attending one of the training sessions on entrepreneurship, digital skills, or financial literacy.

Apply for Mentorship: Connect with mentors through the hub who can guide you in developing your idea into a business.

Pitch Your Idea: Share your project or business concept with the hub team to access incubation support, resources, or micro-loans.

Collaborate with Peers: Work alongside other refugee youth in Kakuma to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and strengthen your community.

Showcase Your Work: Use the hub’s platform to present your achievements, attract support, and inspire others.

For Someone Outside Kakuma
If you’re not physically in Kakuma Refugee Camp, you can still:

Follow Online Updates: Engage with Mwangaza Business Hub through social media or digital platforms.

Partner or Support: NGOs, businesses, or individuals can collaborate by offering mentorship, resources, or funding.

Spread the Word: Share the hub’s mission Bring Young Refugee Future to raise awareness and attract more opportunities.

Implementation steps

Preparation and setup

Define objectives: Clarify target group (refugee youth), outcomes (skills, businesses, jobs), and timeline for a pilot cohort. Map resources: Identify a space (community hall/classroom), basic equipment (chairs, whiteboard, phones/laptops if available), and training materials. Build a team: Recruit facilitators, a coordinator, and 2–3 mentors (local entrepreneurs, teachers, or NGO staff). Create a schedule: Plan a 6–8 week cycle with weekly workshops, mentor check-ins.

Participant recruitment and onboarding

Set criteria: Young refugees (e.g., 16–30) with interest in entrepreneurship or skills development; no formal education required. Open applications: Use a short form (name, contact, interests, business idea or skill). Orientation session: Explain goals, expectations, code of conduct, and the support available (mentorship, tools, possible micro-support). Baseline survey: Record participants’ current skills, resources, and goals to measure progress later.

Program delivery

Core workshops: Run weekly sessions on entrepreneurship basics, financial literacy, digital skills, and leadership. Mentor matching: Pair each participant with a mentor based on interests (e.g., tailoring, food business, retail, services). Action assignments: After each workshop, set practical tasks (customer interviews, budgeting, simple marketing). Peer circles: Create small groups for feedback, accountability, and collaboration. Resource station: Provide shared tools (e.g., sewing kit.

Incubation and support

Idea validation: Help participants test demand through quick surveys or trial sales. Mini business plan: Guide them to draft a one-page plan (problem, solution, customers, pricing, costs, steps). Seed support: Offer micro-grants, shared equipment time, or referrals to existing micro-loan programs where available. Market linkage: Connect participants to local markets, host community customers, and NGO procurement opportunities.

Monitoring, showcase, and iteration

Track progress: Use simple weekly check-ins (skills gained, tasks completed, small sales, challenges). Impact logs: Record metrics like businesses launched, income changes, jobs created, and confidence levels. Showcase day: Organize a pitch/demo event for community leaders, NGOs, and potential partners. Feedback loop: Gather participant and mentor feedback; note what worked and what needs adjustment. Iterate: Update curriculum, mentorship structure, and resource allocation based on lessons.

Scaling and partnerships

Document the model: Create a short playbook with curriculum, templates, and forms used. Train facilitators: Identify participant graduates who can co-facilitate the next cohort. Partner outreach: Approach NGOs, schools, and social enterprises for co-hosting, funding, or equipment support. Expand cohorts: Run more cycles or replicate the hub in different zones of Kakuma or nearby communities.