20 August 2025, Nairobi. Eric Ndikumana standing infronyt of his Phone Repair shop and motorbike. Photo: Edgar Otieno for the IRC

Fleeing political turmoil in Burundi in 2015, Erick's Ndikumana’s journey led him through Tanzania and finally to Kenya in 2016. Arriving with nothing but hope, his story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, the human spirit can triumph. Life in Nairobi presented its own set of hurdles, from lacking legal documentation to the daily struggle for survival. Yet, Erick's resilience never wavered. He embraced every opportunity, from working at a barbershop to learning the intricate skills of phone repair.

Erick Ndikumana's day begins before the sun fully rises, a testament to his unwavering work ethic. His routine, starting with early morning boda boda rides, sets the stage for a day dedicated to building his future. By mid-morning, his phone repair shop opens its doors, a hub of activity where he manages other errands and assesses the business’s performances. Erick's commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction shines. If there has been a decline in sales, he sits down with his employee to strategize ways to boost sales. This dedication is the cornerstone of his success, a success born from the ashes of displacement and uncertainty.

Lacking adequate legal documentation, he encountered multiple arrests and encountered difficulties in clarifying his situation each time. It was only when he was referred to Shauri Moyo that he was able to acquire temporary refugee papers, granting him some form of identification. This enabled him to secure employment at a barbershop, although his path to success remained fraught with obstacles. Erick’s experience mirrors several refugees, this is enunciated by (Betts, 2023) positing that:

“Refugees fleeing dire situations and find themselves in limbo due to system barriers, bureaucratic inefficiencies and restrictive immigration policies. This highlights the intricate relationship between national and institutional policies that hinder documentation”.

Documentation bottlenecks need to be addressed sooner than later. It was challenging to maintain the business. On average, they were only making between Kshs 200 (EUR 1.46) to Kshs 250 (EUR 1.83) per day, which was hardly sufficient to sustain the business. Their difficulties escalated when a fire erupted in the market, resulting in the destruction of all their hard work. With nothing left, Erick had no choice but to begin anew.

The Turning Point

A pivotal moment arrived in 2022 while working at a Somali-owned shop earning around Kshs 5,000 (EUR 37) per month, when he connected with the International Rescue Committee (IRC)'s Re:BUiLD program. This marked a turning point, providing him with invaluable mentorship and support and became one of the clients who enrolled in its Randomized Control Trials (RCT) in Nairobi. Guided by a mentor, an experienced entrepreneur in the clothing business, who trained and guided him on navigating the complexities and risks of running a business while helping him identify potential opportunities.

Erick honed his business acumen and, with financial assistance, launched his own phone repair shop and selling clothes. capitalizing on his existing skills. This investment in his potential wasn't just financial; it was an investment in his dreams, recognizing his existing skills and providing the platform for them to flourish.  

Today, Erick's success is undeniable. His phone repair business thrives, providing a stable income that allows him to support his family and secure their future. He earns approximately Kshs 15,000 (EUR 1.83) per month from phone repairs, a significant improvement from the Kshs 6,000 (EUR 45) he made while running his phone repair business in Gikomba. His entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond his own venture; he has become a mentor and employer to others, offering training and opportunities to four individuals, two Kenyans and two refugees. These individuals have started their enterprises and opened their own shops own businesses in phone repair, thanks to Erick's guidance.

Looking ahead He is confident in the future and sees great potential for growth in both his phone repair and boda boda businesses. His main objective is to expand his phone repair shop to accommodate more staff and improve service quality. Furthermore, he aims to integrate his boda boda business into delivery services like Glovo, by obtaining the required documents to make this plan a reality.

Financial Literacy as a crucial component for micro-enterprises.

His pride in their success is evident, highlighting the ripple effect of empowerment. From a monthly earning of a few thousand shillings, Erick now earns significantly more, enabling him to invest further in his ambitions, including a boda boda business. His ultimate vision is to expand his shop and integrate his boda boda services into the city's delivery network. Erick's journey is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship, fueled by determination and nurtured by opportunity.