Inkomoko
Inkomoko, founded in Rwanda in 2012, is a social enterprise supporting micro and small businesses across Africa, with a focus on refugees and displaced individuals. By 2030, it aims to reach 335,000 entrepreneurs and impact 4 million lives.[1] It plans to expand to 8 countries, serving 500,000 businesses and benefiting 7 million people across Africa.[2]
History
[edit]The organization began in Rwandan refugee camps to support the economic inclusion of refugees in East Africa by providing entrepreneurship training and financing and has grown into the region’s largest lender to refugee-owned businesses.[1][3] By 2023, Inkomoko had supported over 60,000 entrepreneurs, distributed over $12 million in financing creating 60,000+ jobs, achieved 70% average revenue growth within six months and maintained a 96% loan repayment rate.[1][2]
Business model
[edit]Inkomoko supports mixed cohorts of forcibly displaced persons and host community members, providing them with skills training, coaching, and market connections for long-term growth.[1] Half of these clients are projected to receive a total of $27 million in affordable financing through digital platforms.[4] It also engages in policy advocacy shaping business law reforms in Rwanda and financial inclusion in Kenya and collaborates with academic and international partners on refugee economic integration research.[5]
Challenges and innovation
[edit]Operating across multiple countries, Inkomoko navigates complex regulations through “graduation pathways” that transition clients to commercial financing and reduce dependency.[1] It addresses gender disparities with targeted mentorship and training and bridges digital gaps in refugee camps by offering offline training alongside AI-driven digital tools for loan assessment and financial inclusion.[6][4]
Recognition and funding
[edit]Inkomoko received the Urumuri Initiative Award from Bank of Kigali in 2022, recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs.[6] It is a grantee of The Audacious Project at TED, receiving support from three UK universities and funding from the British Academy of Management and Society for management studies.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Inkomoko | The Audacious Project". audaciousproject.org. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ a b "Where Kiva works". Kiva. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ Richey, Michelle; Randall, Raymond; Ram, Monder; Ravishankar, M. N. (2022-09-01). The power of nurturing refugee businesses (Report). Loughborough University.
- ^ a b "MIT Solve". solve.mit.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ UNHCR Needs Assessment Handbook. United Nations. 2024-06-07. ISBN 978-92-1-106521-3.
- ^ a b Sabiiti, Daniel (2024-11-15). "12 Women-led Businesses Compete For BK Urumuri Initiative Awards". KT PRESS. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
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