Their undertaking, including a seed funding, is to help entrepreneurs along the Kenya-Somali border turn their vision into a minimum viable product (MVP) and validate its market potential.
For many beneficiaries, the training and grants have been life-changing.
Women youth and elders in a security meeting at Degelema Town in the border town of Liboi/Stephen AstarikoIn a region where economic opportunities
often feel scarce, the HIKMA Foundation is changing the narrative by empowering
women and youth traders with seed grants, training, and resources to scale
their businesses. Their undertaking, including a seed funding,
is to help entrepreneurs along the Kenya-Somali border turn their vision into a
minimum viable product (MVP) and validate its market potential. The initiative has already supported 120
women and youth cross-border traders promoting financial independence, reducing
economic vulnerabilities, and enhancing regional stability. The base capital has empowered 50 per cent women
and 50 per cent youth, including 25 per cent boys, 25 per cent girls, and 10 per cent of Persons Living with
Disabilities (PLWDs). For many beneficiaries, the training and
grants have been life-changing. In an interview, Abdirizack Kesane, the
project coordinator of the Deris Wanag project for HIKMA Foundation, said the programme goes beyond financial support.“We identified that most beneficiaries
lacked basic bookkeeping and entrepreneurship skills. To address this, we
developed a training manual in both English and Somali and distributed it to
the community,” Kesane explained. Beneficiaries underwent training in
fundamental entrepreneurship and bookkeeping, equipping them with the skills
needed to manage and expand their businesses effectively.Workshops provided practical tools to help
participants enhance their business operations and overcome challenges,
fostering both growth and unity within the community. "The main objective of the training and
seed grants, was to reduce the drivers of Violent Extremism, this, in turn,
mitigates factors that fuel unrest, laying the groundwork for lasting peace and
regional stability,” the project manager said. Another undertaking the organisation has
been conducting is a trade fair across the border area.
It brought together
cross-border women and youth traders, offering them a unique opportunity to
learn from one another and engage in networking.
The commercial exhibition served as a
collaborative platform, where traders shared insights, built valuable
connections, and explored new business strategies. Bisharo Aden Farah is the latest owner of
Bisharo Butchery in Deg Elema, Kenya.
Before receiving support, Bisharo managed
her business with modest capital, serving a limited number of customers each
week and earning a modest daily income.
A grant from the HIKMA Foundation allowed
her to purchase a solar-powered refrigerator, upgrade her storefront, and
acquire modern tools. This investment has revolutionized her
business.
Bisharo now serves more customers weekly and generates a
significantly higher daily income.
“Thanks to the HIKMA Foundation, I can now
offer fresh, high-quality meat consistently, even during peak seasons. The
grant gave me the confidence to dream bigger,” she said cheerfully. Bishara said being a mother of five and
living with a disability has never stopped her from providing for her family
and running my business. “I am determined to succeed, and every
challenge I face only strengthens my resolve. I have faced many difficulties, but my children are
my motivation. I work hard every day to ensure they have a better future,” she
said. Her fortune came through the Deris Wanaag
project, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),
aimed to promote peace, stability, and economic growth in the border areas of
Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. It is implemented by Adam Smith
International, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Royal United Services
Institute, in collaboration with NGOs like HIKMA Foundation.The project will focus on the
Kenya-Somalia border, specifically in Liboi (Kenya) and Dhobley (Somalia),
working closely with local authorities, communities, and consortium partners.
Special emphasis will be placed on empowering women, marginalised groups, and
youth as agents of change.
Fatima Ali explained that with the new
cooler, she can store more milk and ensure it stays fresh for longer, resulting
in more customers and increased sales. She added that the grant has significantly
boosted her ability to meet demand in her community. "The startup capital allowed me to
purchase a larger cooler to store fresh milk, and now I can serve more
customers daily. My business has grown, and I am able to supply milk to nearby
markets," Mrs Fatuma said. “This is just the beginning. I’m excited
for what’s ahead,” she said, confidently looking toward the future. The foundation also facilitated the formal
registration of their businesses through partnerships with the County
Government of Garissa and Dhobley District Administration of Jubaland, a
semi-autonomous state of Somalia. The Kenya-Somalia cross-border business
landscape is a vibrant and dynamic sector that plays a crucial role in the
economies of both countries.
With shared cultural ties, proximity, and a
deep-rooted history of trade, the border areas have become hubs for a variety
of goods, including livestock, agricultural products, electronics, and
textiles.
Traders on both sides of the border engage
in daily exchanges, contributing to the livelihoods of thousands.
Despite
challenges such as limited infrastructure, security concerns, and fluctuating
policies, these businesses continue to thrive through resilience and
adaptability.
The impact of this initiative extends
beyond individual success stories. By targeting marginalised groups, including
women, youth, and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), the program
addresses systemic economic disparities. This empowerment drives sustainable
livelihoods, reduces poverty, and mitigates factors that contribute to violent
extremism in the region.“Through this programme, we are helping
people start or expand businesses as well as building resilience, reducing the
drivers of instability, and fostering regional peace,” Kesane said. “The HIKMA Foundation’s initiative
demonstrates the power of community-driven development in transforming lives
and fostering stability," he said
"By empowering women and youth traders with knowledge,
resources, and opportunities, the foundation is creating a ripple effect of
socio-economic progress across the region."
