Sudanese Refugee Brews Success with UNHCR Business Grant

When Mustafa Suleiman fled Darfur in 2012, he carried little more than hope for a safer life. The war that erupted in his homeland in 2003 had torn apart families and communities, forcing thousands like him to seek refuge. Egypt became his sanctuary, but life was far from easy.

“Until last year, I felt like my entire life was hanging by a thread,” Mustafa recalls. “I kept switching from one job to the other, working on farms, being a domestic worker and as a father of two young children, I could hardly cover the rent. The food assistance I received helped, but providing for my family was still a struggle.”

For years, Mustafa sought countless work opportunities, only to face disappointment. Then one day, while scrolling through a community group on social media, he stumbled upon a grant offered by Etijah, UNHCR’s livelihoods partner supporting small businesses. Weeks later, he received a call that changed his life.

Mustafa decided to open a cafe, a business idea that came to him during a casual football game with friends as they often struggled to find a welcoming spot to gather and enjoy their favorite drinks. A simple need sparked a vision: a Sudanese café that would serve as a cultural bridge, offering authentic Sudanese beverages alongside Egyptian favorites.

In 2024, Mustafa rented a small shop, starting with just 20 chairs. “The training I received from the business development program was incredibly beneficial,” he says. “It taught me how to manage and expand my business more effectively.”

The early days were tough. Mustafa had limited resources and a small customer base. He borrowed equipment from friends and earned a modest income. But instead of giving up, he reinvested every pound he could. Soon, he was able to buy a larger television and expand seating, creating a cozy space for customers to watch football matches and socialize.

Today, Mustafa’s café is the only spot on the street serving both Sudanese and Egyptian beverages—Sudanese coffee is the most popular item on his menu, complemented by drinks commonly enjoyed by Egyptians such as tea, Turkish coffee, fresh juices, and soft drinks. Looking ahead, Mustafa plans to introduce Sudanese cuisine alongside international dishes to better appeal to the host community. His cafe has become a popular meeting place for locals from both communities—a small but powerful symbol of cohesion and resilience.

Through the business development program, Mustafa learned strategies for marketing and customer engagement. On the program’s closing day, he presented his café to the community, increasing its visibility and drawing in new customers.

Mustafa’s journey is far from over. He dreams of securing additional funding to expand his café, improve services, and create a more stable future for his family. “This experience taught me that resilience, creativity, and proper guidance can transform challenges into opportunities,” he says with a smile.

The UNHCR livelihoods program empowers refugees and host community members in Egypt by providing essential grants, business training, and development support to launch sustainable small enterprises like Mustafa's café. This initiative helps participants overcome employment barriers, build financial independence, and foster social cohesion through ventures that bridge cultures between Sudanese refugees and Egyptians. The program's success owes much to generous donors, including the Mastercard Foundation, whose vital funding enables expanded opportunities for education, skills-building, and economic resilience among displaced individuals.

From a refugee struggling to make ends meet to a proud entrepreneur, Mustafa Suleiman’s is an inspirational story of hope and the impact of giving people the tools to succeed. The UNHCR livelihood program is not only limited to refugees but also provides grants to interested individuals from the Egyptian host community.