Refugee designer grows fashion business in Kakuma, Kenya

Fashion designer Christine Fazili Kalibanya, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, started with one sewing machine in Kakuma Refugee Camp. After completing ILO PROSPECTS’ Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and financial education courses, she secured a zero-interest grant, bought six machines, and now creates gowns, African dresses, and up-cycled kitenge bags. Christine saves through two village-savings groups and trains other refugee women and teenage mothers to launch their own tailoring ventures.

This story comes from ILO PROSPECTS Kenya a multi-year initiative funded by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented by the ILO in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). In Turkana and Garissa counties the programme strengthens local chambers, offers business-development and financial-literacy training, and expands market access—through initiatives such as the Jamii Biashara digital marketplace—to help refugee and host-community entrepreneurs start, grow, and formalise sustainable enterprises.