Refugees in Dadaab camps and members of the host community are turning enterprise into opportunity after a two-day trade bazaar connected them to buyers, partners and new markets
The initiative aimed to create market connections for at least 41 community groups, while also fostering peace, security and resilience among populations in the region.
The bazaar was organised by Search for Common Ground, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
It provided a platform for participants to address weak market linkages that have previously limited the growth of livelihood groups due to unreliable income-generating opportunities.
Additionally, the event opened avenues for business-to-business engagement, enabling participants to interact with government representatives and development partners.
This interaction is expected to improve access to support programmes targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Through the Watha Nolasho project, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Search for Common Ground has been supporting both refugee and host communities in and around Hagadera Refugee Camp.
The initiative seeks to enhance social cohesion and address ongoing socio-economic challenges caused by prolonged displacement, climate-related shocks, limited market access and competition over scarce resources.
Search for Common Ground programme implementation assistant Mariam Mwenje said the project has supported 40 livelihood groups under the Watha Nolasho (Communities for Peace) initiative. She spoke during the event held in Hagadera town.
A women's group showcases their products during a two-day trade bazaar in Hagadera, Dadaab subcounty /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
She said the programme has helped participants overcome barriers such as weak market connections, limited access to buyers and fragmented value chains.
Mwenje said the initiative has brought together refugees and host community members, strengthening their ability to manage offline and online conflicts through joint livelihood activities that have been ongoing since last year.
“We aimed to unite refugees and host communities. While conflict is sometimes unavoidable, how it is managed determines its impact,” she said.
“This project was designed to foster unity and we are pleased with the progress made. It is also encouraging to see strong participation from youth, women and older men within the community groups,” she said.
Garissa county director for trade Osman Abdi praised the efforts of Search for Common Ground, describing the partnership as transformative.
Mariam Mwenje, a programme implementation assistant at
Search for Common Ground interacts with some of the women /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
He said it has the potential to convert livelihood support into real economic opportunities while strengthening peaceful cooperation across different groups.
“This is more than just an event, it provides a practical solution to market access challenges. It serves as a bridge linking buyers and sellers, ideas and investment, while promoting inclusivity between host communities and refugees,” Abdi said.
Beneficiaries of the project called for continued support from Search for Common Ground, noting that the initiative has delivered tangible results.
They described it as a distinctive and effective approach compared to previous interventions in the area.
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