HACO Industries, UNHCR and Nemlon Training Institute Partner to Empower Women in Refugee and Host Communities through the ElevateHER Initiative

HACO Industries Kenya Limited, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Nemlon Training Institute, has formalized a partnership under the HACO ElevateHER Initiative, a transformative social enterprise programme designed to support women from refugee and host communities to transition from vocational training into sustainable, income-generating enterprises within the haircare sector.

The official launch, which also marked the handover of the first Haco Kwa Mtaa model container to the community, underscores HACO’s commitment to promoting economic inclusion and resilience through enterprise-led solutions that unlock opportunities for marginalized women.

Speaking during the launch, HACO Industries Managing Director, Mary-Ann Musangi, emphasized the importance of collaborative action between the private sector and humanitarian organizations in advancing sustainable development.

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“ElevateHER is about moving from training to transformation — enabling women to translate skills into livelihoods and dignity into independence. Through this partnership with UNHCR and Nemlon Training Institute, we are creating pathways for women to participate meaningfully in local economies, while fostering social cohesion and shared prosperity,” she said.

The ElevateHER programme aims to build the capacity of women trained in haircare and beauty through tailored mentorship, business support, and access to market linkages. By leveraging HACO’s iconic haircare brands such as Miadi and Ashanti-Q, the initiative provides beneficiaries with not only quality products but also practical exposure to entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices.

In addition, the container will serve as a community-based hub for training, mentorship, and micro-enterprise incubation. The model is part of HACO’s broader social sustainability framework that extends its impact beyond manufacturing to community empowerment and localized economic activity.

UNHCR representatives lauded the partnership as a demonstration of how the private sector can contribute to durable solutions for displaced populations.

“ElevateHER represents a shared vision of inclusion. By equipping refugee and host community women with the skills and networks to thrive economically, we are building the foundation for self-reliance and long-term stability,” said Janet Pima, Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR.

The initiative aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Vision 2030, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly those on Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

As part of the next phase, HACO, UNHCR, and interested partners plan to scale the ElevateHER model to additional counties and refugee-hosting regions while integrating it within the Haco Kwa Mtaa network to create sustainable enterprise ecosystems led by women entrepreneurs.

“Sustainability is not just a corporate goal; it is a shared responsibility. ElevateHER reflects our belief that when women rise, communities prosper,” Ms. Musangi added