RefugeeLINK representative Kevin Kusiima and Clinton Murungi, representing Storeguy, a partner of RefugeeLINK, attended the Digital Africa – Refugee & Startup Investment Challenge Networking Event held at the Protea Hotel Kampala Skyz on 10 March 2026. The event, hosted by Digital Africa in partnership with Proparco, UNHCR, and Hive Colab, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners to strengthen support for innovative and refugee-led startups across Africa.
The gathering created an opportunity for key actors in the startup and innovation ecosystem to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore ways of expanding access to financing and support for emerging ventures. It also highlighted the growing recognition of refugee entrepreneurs as important contributors to local and regional economies.
Key remarks were delivered by H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, Regional Director for East Africa at Proparco, and representatives from UNHCR Uganda and Hive Colab. Their contributions emphasized the importance of collaboration between development institutions, investors, and innovation hubs in supporting startups that address real social and economic challenges.
Discussions during the event also highlighted the growth of Digital Africa’s investment portfolio, which has supported around 70 startups across the continent. Through early-stage financing and ecosystem support, the initiative is helping entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions, scale their businesses, and access additional capital.
A strong focus was placed on refugee entrepreneurship, recognizing refugees not only as beneficiaries of support programs but also as innovators and drivers of economic growth. The partnership between Digital Africa, UNHCR, and Proparco aims to provide mentorship, technical assistance, and access to sustainable financing for refugee-led ventures, helping create pathways for displaced entrepreneurs to build resilient businesses.
RefugeeLINK looks forward to continued collaboration with partners across the innovation ecosystem to unlock opportunities for refugee entrepreneurs and support inclusive startup growth across Africa.