In 2011, Nkomezi Munyamahoro Espoir fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with nothing but hope for survival. Forced to leave behind his home, family, and the life he once knew, he arrived in Kenya as a refugee. The transition was far from easy. As a father of eight children (one son and seven daughters), he carried the heavy burden of providing for his family while navigating the challenges of displacement.
One of Nkomezi’s biggest struggles was the language barrier. As a French speaker in a country where English and Kiswahili are predominant, communication proved difficult, heightening his sense of isolation and depression. Like many refugees, he also faced legal and bureaucratic hurdles in accessing essential identification documents, such as a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN and mobile phone SIM cards. Without these, engaging in meaningful economic activities was nearly impossible.
To survive, Nkomezi took to hawking SIM cards on the streets of Nairobi, ironically selling a service he could not access himself. His earnings barely covered basic needs, forcing him into multiple part-time jobs and long sleepless nights just to make ends meet. Harassment from authorities over lack of documentation further compounded his hardships.
Hope came when the Supporting Displacement-Affected Communities in Kenya with Entrepreneurship Development (SDACKED) project, funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), extended support to him.
The four-year SDACKED project aims to foster an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem that promotes financial inclusion and economic participation for refugees and host community entrepreneurs in Kenya. Through Community Savings and Loans Associations (CSLAs), the project provides training in Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Group Dynamics, Leadership, and Conflict Management. It also offers mentorship, coaching, psychosocial support, and crucial linkages with financial institutions like KCB Bank, while advocating for improved refugee documentation.
Thanks to the project’s intervention, Nkomezi was able to secure vital documents, including a refugee ID and a KRA PIN. This enabled him to open a business account with KCB Bank and register for Safaricom’s M-Pesa mobile money services. In October 2024, with the project's support, Nkomezi successfully obtained a loan of Ksh. 500,000 to invest in his business.
Nkomezi used the loan to establish MENVAA, a shoe shop located in Nairobi. Today, the business is thriving. He employs three people and earns an average monthly income of Ksh. 100,000. After paying a Ksh. 40,000 monthly loan installment, he is able to restock, pay his employees, and still take home about Ksh. 30,000 to support his family.
Nkomezi Espoir inspecting the shoe stock in his shop & receiving a certificate of participation during the capacity building of 30 community champions on the International Labour Organization (ILO) entrepreneurship tools.
Importantly, Nkomezi has ensured that all his eight children are enrolled in school, reflecting his strong commitment to their future. His first-born daughter is pursuing an accountancy degree at KCA University in Nairobi. Two daughters are in high school at Our Lady of Mercy–Shauri Moyo and Karima Girls School, respectively. Other children are enrolled in junior secondary and primary schools in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Beyond education, the family's quality of life has greatly improved. They now enjoy better healthcare, nutritious meals, and a dignified lifestyle after relocating to a more spacious home.
Nkomezi’s journey of transformation has elevated him to a position of leadership within his community. He serves as Treasurer of the Isambu CSLA group, which has since been formally registered with Kenya’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection as a self-help group. Under his stewardship, the group has excelled in savings, lending, and social support initiatives.
Fueled by the support he received, Nkomezi founded and chairs Unity Upendo, a CBO dedicated to mentoring and empowering refugees using the CSLA model. Trained by DRC as a community champion under the SDACKED project, Nkomezi now helps others achieve financial independence. Through Unity Upendo, he has helped over 200 refugees form savings groups and access financial services. His story showcases the transformative power of resilience and opportunity.
Reflecting on his journey, Nkomezi shares:
"When I arrived in Kenya, I was desperate, confused, and depressed. I had just lost my parents and siblings to the war in DRC. I felt all alone in this world."
Today, 14 years later, he beams with pride:
"I can’t believe how far I’ve come. Now, refugees feel like ordinary Kenyan citizens. We can access services, we feel included, and we are happy."
Nkomezi dreams of expanding his business to create even more employment opportunities. He says: "I want to be a testimony that refugees can contribute positively to Kenya’s economy through business and job creation."
His entrepreneurship efforts have already started to shift perceptions. Recently, KCB Bank reached out to Nkomezi, expressing interest in extending loans to other refugee entrepreneurs, proof that financial inclusion is becoming a reality.
Nkomezi Espoir’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative impact of inclusive development. Thanks to the SDACKED project and the generous support of the Swedish Government, he has turned adversity into opportunity, inspiring countless others along the way.