TED Talks Daily How displaced people are driving local economies | Julienne Oyler
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Sep 4, 2025 Julienne Oyler, a social entrepreneur and co-founder of Inkomoko, discusses how displaced individuals are redefining local economies. She outlines the entrepreneurial spirit flourishing in refugee camps, particularly in Kakuma, where innovative businesses are emerging. Julienne emphasizes the need for new investment strategies to support refugee entrepreneurs, showcasing success stories from Africa. Her insights spotlight the vital role refugees play in community development and economic growth, challenging perceptions of displacement.
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Kakuma's Unexpected Transformation
- Julienne Oyler describes buying ice cream in Kakuma, a refugee camp transformed into a bustling market with shops and solar lights.
- She highlights that Kakuma now hosts over 10,000 businesses and nearly $100 million in annual market consumption.
Investment Plus Local Ingenuity Scales Economies
- Kakuma's growth stemmed from displaced people and hosts co-creating solutions and investors taking calculated risks.
- This combination turned an isolated camp into a regional economic hub supporting over a million people.
Entrepreneurs Rebuilding Lives
- Oyler shares stories of entrepreneurs like Adela who runs a tailoring shop employing 26 people and Mesvin who runs a large motorcycle dealership funding school fees.
- These examples show displaced entrepreneurs creating jobs and local philanthropy within Kakuma.