- Published by
- ILO
This brief analyses Kenya’s urban beauty sector using an inclusive market systems lens to identify livelihood opportunities for refugees and host communities.
The sector is growing rapidly and offers accessible entry points, particularly in beauty services, where refugees - especially from the Great Lakes region - are often highly skilled. However, systemic constraints limit their ability to progress, including informality, lack of recognised certification, restricted access to finance, and barriers linked to work permits and social protection. High competition and low innovation further trap many in low-income market segments.
The brief proposes a push-pull approach, combining capacity building (skills, digital tools, networks) with system-level changes (market access, regulatory reform) to support more inclusive, higher-value participation.