Young entrepreneurs in Sudan’s Kassala State are turning local needs into livelihood opportunities through the ILO PROSPECTS-supported i-UPSHIFT programme.
One example is Shira’ Al-Amal, a transport service created by young people in Shagarab Refugee Camp. Taher works as a driver, while Safaa manages bookings and coordinates journeys by phone. According to the team, the service is generating profits while helping residents, particularly older people and people with disabilities, travel more easily.
The business continues to face higher fuel costs and roads made difficult by seasonal rains. Even so, the team said it is working to reach passengers and expand the service.
The programme received 2,735 applications from young people in the camp and surrounding host communities. Women accounted for 52% of applicants. Of those who applied, 500 were selected, with 460 forming 88 teams.
Participants received bootcamps, mentorship, market research and incubation support. Seventy-five teams received seed funding to develop minimum viable products, while 195 participants opened bank accounts. The programme concluded with a summit where 38 winning teams, representing 160 young entrepreneurs, including 66 refugees, presented their solutions.
The initiative is part of PROSPECTS, a partnership involving the ILO, IFC, UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Bank, financed by the Netherlands.
