What is the name of your organization?
Konexio Africa
What is the name of your solution?
Kakuma Digital Hub
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Bridging the digital divide by equipping refugees with tech skills for sustainable employment and financial independence.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Nairobi, Kenya
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
KEN
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Refugees in Kenya, particularly in the Kakuma refugee camp, face limited access to stable employment and economic opportunities. Without digital skills or connectivity, they remain excluded from the rapidly growing global digital economy, exacerbating poverty and dependence on humanitarian aid. Currently, over 200,000 refugees in Kakuma struggle with economic marginalization, lacking viable pathways to financial independence.
The lack of digital literacy and inadequate infrastructure hinder their ability to secure jobs in the digital sector. Moreover, there is a significant skills gap between the local workforce and the demands of the global freelance market, further isolating these communities.
Our solution addresses this challenge by providing comprehensive digital training and direct access to freelance and remote work opportunities, empowering refugees to build sustainable livelihoods.
What is your solution?
Despite their skills and potential, refugees struggle to access stable employment—not just due to limited opportunities, but because companies hesitate to hire/work with them. Many doubt that refugees have the infrastructure to deliver high-quality work, assuming that unstable internet, unreliable power, and a lack of professional workspaces make them risky partners/hires. This trust gap keeps refugees locked out of the global digital economy, despite their talent and willingness to work.
Our BPO hub in Kakuma bridges this gap by offering both the infrastructure and training needed to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery. The center is equipped with high-speed internet, solar-powered workstations, and digital learning platforms, creating an enterprise-grade work environment that meets global business standards. Through BPO contracts, refugees engage in customer prospection, data & AI services- annotation, transcription, providing companies with the skilled workforce they need—while proving that talent can thrive anywhere when given the right tools.
Beyond structured job contracts, the hub also supports freelancing opportunities through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, allowing refugees to diversify their income sources. It fosters a community-driven ecosystem, where mentorship, professional growth, and knowledge-sharing empower refugees to build sustainable careers.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves refugees in Kakuma, with a focus on women and youth, who face extreme barriers to employment. Despite having talent and potential, they are excluded from digital work due to a lack of infrastructure, employer trust, and access to training. Many companies hesitate to hire refugees, assuming they cannot meet professional standards.
Our BPO hub changes this by providing the necessary infrastructure and training for structured employment and freelancing. Participants gain digital skills in data entry, AI annotation, and IT support, while working on real projects from global companies. This allows them to earn stable incomes, reduce dependence on aid, and build careers in the digital economy.
Beyond income, the program fosters a community of mentorship and growth, helping refugees develop soft skills, gain confidence, and connect with opportunities. By proving their capabilities in a professional setting, they challenge misconceptions, paving the way for more refugees to access sustainable, dignified work.