Empowering Kenya's Informal Sector
Pushing Informal Sectors from Subsistence to Profit-making
From Survival to Thriving
With programs like skills development, microfinance, and digital tools, we're transforming informal businesses into sustainable enterprises—boosting incomes by up to 50% and creating thousands of new opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Empowering Women and Youth in the Hustle
Nearly 60% of informal enterprises in Kenya are women-owned, and 44% are led by youth aged 15-34. Through targeted training, microfinance, and digital tools, we're helping these entrepreneurs scale their businesses, increase incomes, and drive community prosperity.
Jua Kali Rising
Lumajira is a Kenyan social enterprise dedicated to uplifting the nation's informal sector—the heart of Kenya's prosperity. We’re driven by a practical, need-based ethos, aligning with global and national development goals to lift the livelihoods of informal workers and empower underserved communities.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between the informal sector and formal opportunities by expanding access to credit, training, social protection, and modern best business practices; enabling sustainable, inclusive growth for workers and by extension their families, and communities.
- Championing Improved Access to finance
- Empowering the Marginalized Groups
- Innovation and learning
- Nurturing informal businesses into profitable ventures
- Preserving Local Crafts and Heritage
- Promoting Environment-friendly Practices
1+ Years
And growing
We design, strategize and implement programs for uplifting the Kenyan informal sector.
Jua Kali Finance Bridge
Through the Jua Kali Finance Bridge program, we are actively working to close the vast gap between credit access and demand in Kenya's informal sector. By involving banks and SME lenders, we have increased the availability of loan products that meet the specific business needs of Jua Kali workers.
Green Roots Business Training
Environmental responsibility is crucial for long-term sustainability and the well-being of any business. Through the Green Roots Business Training, we help Jua Kali business owners adapt eco-friendly practices such as recycling and clean energy options.
Utamaduni Udumu Initiative
The Utamaduni Udumu initiative aims at preserving traditional crafts and artistry. Kenya's local crafts and art have untapped global appeal- a potential source of income for many. By training artisans in e-commerce and increasing their global exposure, we ensure continuity and support for these crafts, ultimately supporting their survival and preservation.
Jua Kali Iangaze Program
The Jua Kali Iangaze Program is our research arm, through which we collect, analyze, and share data with research institutions like universities on the uptake, adaptation levels, and tangible outcomes of our initiatives. This ensures our programs are continuously improved and studied as examples.
Our Core Services
With our range of focused and specialized services and initiatives, we tailor our approach depending on the community and local needs.
Nurture Informal Businesses into Profitable Ventures
Lumajira aims to foster sustainable livelihoods for Kenya's Jua Kali workers, such as miners, construction laborers, boda boda riders, small-scale traders, and others by delivering training, capacity enhancement, and income-boosting programs.
Read MorePromoting Environmental-friendly Practices
Every successful business looking to be sustainable and efficient needs to incorporate environment-friendly practices. We help Jua-kali businesses effectively apply standard eco-aware practices and train owners in conforming with environmental guidelines.
Read MoreEngaging Multiple Government and Non-Government Stakeholders
Our ultimate aim at Lumajira is to create a conducive environment for informal businesses to thrive. This can only be achieved by involving all relevant stakeholders, from county and national government ministries, to NGOs with similar or overlapping visions.
Read MoreEmpowering Marginalized Groups
Marginalized groups like youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are the most vulnerable to the uncertainties of the economy, and particularly the hurdles informal workers face. Lumajira is committed to ensuring no one is left behind by our empowerment programs.
Read MorePreservation of Local Crafts and Cultural Heritage
Kenya's cultural and traditional craft market is largely exclusive to the informal sector. Artifacts like traditional bracelets, beads, and clothes are mostly sold by Informal traders. By setting up programs to facilitate this preservation and increase visibility, we aim to promote and preserve local cultures.
Read MoreInnovation and Social Enterprise Development
Lumajira is dedicated to fostering ideas that solve immediate and everyday social and environmental challenges. We commit special focus towards promoting innovation and fostering an ecosystem that allows growth of impactful ideas.
Read MoreResearch, Knowledge-Sharing, and Learning
At Lumajira, we are committed to continuous research and innovation, to ensure our programs are effective and contribute to research and development. By keeping records and partnering with research institutions, we do our part in promoting market and scientific research.
Read MoreAlignment with National and Global Development Agendas
Lumajira ensures that every grassroots initiative is purposefully aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while fostering regional integration and deep community ownership. We intentionally design programs to create a clear “line of sight” from community-level actions to county, national, regional, and global development objectives, maximizing impact and coherence.
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