Supporting Kakuma's Refugee Traders: The Importance of Business Documentation in an Informal Economy

This briefing paper explores the significance of business permits to Kakuma’s business owners and tradespeople and examines challenges experienced by refugees who seek to obtain business permits. It aims to contribute to discussions among humanitarian, development, and local actors on how to ensure that business permit practices help refugees to safely run businesses that build refugee self-reliance, as well as support refugees to exercise their right to work, including through self-employment. The briefing paper complements “Supporting Kakuma’s Refugees: The Importance of Refugee Freedom of Movement,” which explores the impact of movement restrictions on Kakuma’s refugees