United Asian Network, UNHCR anchor partnership to unlock inclusion for refugees, local communities in Kenya

The United Asian Network (UAN) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today signed a five-year strategic partnership agreement to strengthen collaboration on refugee inclusion and self-reliance in Kenya, enhacing the role of refugees and host communities in the country's economic development.

Building on three years of consistent engagement between the two agencies, this agreement establishes a cooperation framework for UAN and its corporate members to explore investments across multiple sectors including health, education, livelihoods, climate resilience, livelihoods, and agricultural supply and value chains in Kakuma, Dadaab, and the broader Turkana and Garissa areas.

Prior to today's signing, the UAN delegation, headed by Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Chairman of UAN, included Dr. Manish Shah of Kingsway Group of Companies, Dr. Aruna Varsani of the Together for Better Foundation, Dr. Ashok Shah of Apollo Group, and Mr. Abhishek Rana of Future Enterprise, among other participants visited Kakuma, home to some 300,000 refugees, which offered insight into the broader needs and economic development opportunities for host communities and refugees alike. The delegation also visited multi-faceted pilot projects, including medical support, menstrual health supplies, and support for agricultural livelihoods in Kakuma, enabling the identification of practical and scalable initiatives for impact.

“United Asian Network was founded on the belief that organised community networks can be powerful catalysts for inclusive change,” said Bimal Kantaria, Chairman of United Asian Network. “This partnership with UNHCR allows us to move from solidarity to structured action, mobilising our members’ expertise, resources and networks in support of refugees and communities that host them," said Kantaria.

For UNHCR, this shared-value partnership reflects the increasingly important role that community networks and private sector actors play in complementing humanitarian action with sustainable solutions that enable communities to become self-sufficient while driving economic growth.

“This strategic collaboration is deep-rooted in the principles of the Shirika Plan, which aims to gradually transition to refugee inclusion and strengthening economic opportunities.,” said Robin Ellis, UNHCR's Deputy Representative (Operations) in Kenya. “By working hand in hand with the Government of Kenya, the private sector, and organisations like UAN, we are expanding pathways and opportunities for communities to access education, skills, markets, and livelihoods," added Ellis.

The partnership agreement establishes a strategic yet flexible framework for cooperation, enabling the co-design and implementation of various initiatives including scholarships, health outreach, agricultural and climate-smartprograms, internship/ placement opportunities, and investments in refugee-hosting counties.

“This agreement strengthens our ability to deliver practical support and impact at scale,” said Manish Shah, Director, Executive Chairman of the Kingsway Group of Companies, who signed the agreement on behalf of UAN. “By aligning technical expertise, private sector networks and community resources, we can help create tangible pathways to self-reliance for refugees and meaningful opportunities for host communities.”

From UNHCR’s regional perspective, Nancy Aburi, Chief of Private Sector Partnerships, Africa, added, “Across Africa, we are seeing how community-led and private sector partnerships can accelerate refugee inclusion when they are grounded in local realities. Kenya’s private sector is leading the way in implementing this approach, with UAN bringing long-term commitment, networks, and skills. This agreement sets the conditions for collaboration that is inclusive, sustainable, solution-oriented, and focused on measurable outcomes.”

The partnership underscores shared values and belief that refugees and host communities are contributors to economies and societies, and that inclusive development delivers lasting benefits for both displaced people and the communities that host them.

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For more information, please contact:

• For UAN: Harleen Jabbal, +254 722 974 189
• For UNHCR: Amina Rai, +254 792 339 766