Based in Nairobi • Operating Across East Africa

Catalyzing Sustainable Livelihoods. Empowering Enterprises. Transforming Communities.

ISDA is a premier field-based development consultancy delivering high-impact enterprise development, financial inclusion and livelihood empowerment programmes across Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the wider East African region.

100%
Completion Rate
★ HS
Highly Satisfactory Ratings
4+
Countries Reached
7+
Core Service Pillars
Multi-Year Track Record of Successful Programme Delivery
100% Deliverable Completion Rate
Consistently Highly Satisfactory Performance Ratings
Trusted by UN Agencies & International Development Partners
Kenya • Ethiopia • South Sudan • East Africa
Enterprise Development • Financial Inclusion • MEAL
Multi-Year Track Record of Successful Programme Delivery
100% Deliverable Completion Rate
Consistently Highly Satisfactory Performance Ratings
Trusted by UN Agencies & International Development Partners
Kenya • Ethiopia • South Sudan • East Africa
Enterprise Development • Financial Inclusion • MEAL
Who We Are

A Field-Driven Development Consultancy Built on Proven Results

International Sustainable Development Agency (ISDA) is a Kenya-based consultancy established to deliver transformative economic empowerment solutions for marginalized and underserved communities.

With a steadfast commitment to sustainable development, ISDA bridges the gap between policy and practice—designing and implementing programmes that create measurable, lasting impact. Our work is grounded in international best practices and a deep understanding of the complex realities facing refugees, host communities, youth, women and persons with disabilities in East Africa.

Our Full Story
Women selling goods at a vibrant African market
Business coaching session
Community engagement and development
Our Impact

Delivering Results That Matter

Every number represents lives changed, enterprises strengthened, and communities transformed across East Africa.

🎯
0%
Completion Rate on All Assignments
⭐
Highly Sat.
Consistent Client Performance Ratings
🌍
0+
Countries of Operation in East Africa
🤝
Multi-Year
Track Record Across Refugee & Host Communities
💼
$M+
Portfolio of Consultancy Contracts Delivered
👥
1000s
Beneficiaries Including Refugees, Youth & Women
What We Do

Our Core Service Pillars

Integrated, market-driven services designed to unlock economic potential and build sustainable livelihoods across East Africa.

🏭
01 / Enterprise Development

Enterprise Development & BDS

Comprehensive Business Development Services to strengthen the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises—from business planning to formalization and growth strategies.

Business Management MSMEs Enterprise Diagnostics BDS
💰
02 / Financial Inclusion

Financial Literacy & Inclusion

Equipping beneficiaries with knowledge and skills to manage finances effectively, access appropriate financial services and build economic resilience through digital finance.

Financial Literacy Savings Mobilization Digital Finance Credit Access
🎓
03 / Coaching & Mentorship

Coaching, Mentorship & Acceleration

Structured coaching and mentorship programmes tailored to enterprises and entrepreneurs—from one-to-one coaching to peer learning, technical mentorship and scale-up support.

1-on-1 Coaching Peer Learning Scale-Up Growth Plans
🔗
04 / Market Systems

Market Linkages & Value-Chain Development

Facilitating access to markets, suppliers and business networks to enhance enterprise competitiveness—from B2B matchmaking to export readiness and value-chain integration.

Market Assessments B2B Matchmaking Value Chains Trade Fairs
🌱
05 / Livelihoods

Youth & Refugee Livelihoods Empowerment

Specialised livelihood programmes for refugees, host communities and vulnerable youth—from beneficiary mobilization to economic inclusion, enterprise development and resilience building.

Refugee Livelihoods Youth Employment Economic Inclusion Resilience
📊
06 / MEAL

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning

Robust MEAL services ensuring accountability, adaptive management and measurable outcomes—from baseline surveys to data visualization and lessons-learned documentation.

Baseline Assessments Impact Measurement Data Management Reporting
🔬
07 / Advisory

Programme Design & Technical Advisory

Technical advisory and programme design services for development partners, governments and NGOs—from conceptualization and ToR development to stakeholder engagement and capacity building.

Programme Design Technical Advisory Capacity Building Policy Analysis
Our Expertise

Sectors We Serve

Deep, specialized knowledge across the sectors that matter most for sustainable, inclusive development in East Africa.

Refugee Livelihoods & Economic Inclusion Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Women's Economic Empowerment Small Enterprise Development Financial Inclusion & Literacy Market Systems Development Skills Development & Employability Community Resilience & Livelihoods Social Protection & Vulnerable Groups Private Sector Development
Our Method

A Holistic, Integrated Approach to Programme Delivery

ISDA employs a beneficiary-centered approach that combines rigorous assessment, structured capacity building, individualized coaching, market linkages and continuous monitoring to ensure measurable, lasting impact.

Read Full Approach
1
Inception & Planning
  • Stakeholder engagement & coordination
  • Beneficiary targeting & mobilization strategies
  • Baseline assessments & needs analysis
2
Capacity Building & Training
  • BDS training programme design & delivery
  • Financial literacy & record-keeping sessions
  • Digital business skills & employability training
3
Coaching, Mentorship & Enterprise Development
  • Individualized & group coaching sessions
  • Enterprise diagnostics & growth planning
  • Business formalization & compliance support
4
Market & Financial Linkages
  • Buyer-supplier matchmaking & trade facilitation
  • Linkages to financial institutions & products
  • Support for savings groups & access to finance
5
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
  • Continuous performance monitoring
  • Beneficiary feedback & accountability mechanisms
  • Lessons-learned documentation & adaptive management
6
Sustainability & Exit Strategy
  • Enterprise sustainability planning
  • Capacity building for local partners
  • Knowledge transfer & documentation
The Transformation

From Challenge to Empowerment

Follow the journey of a beneficiary — from vulnerability to economic independence — through ISDA's integrated programme model.

Refugee community
1
The Challenge
Vulnerability & Displacement
Refugees, youth and vulnerable communities face displacement, limited access to markets and few economic opportunities.
Business assessment and planning
2
Assessment
Understanding Needs
ISDA conducts rigorous assessments to understand capacities, aspirations and the specific barriers each beneficiary faces.
Training and skills development
3
Training
Skills & Knowledge
Structured BDS training, financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills equip beneficiaries with practical, market-relevant capabilities.
Small business owner
4
Coaching
Mentorship & Growth
One-to-one coaching, peer learning and expert mentorship transform skills into confident enterprise management and growth.
Market linkages and trade
5
Market Access
Connecting to Markets
B2B matchmaking, trade fairs and value-chain integration connect enterprises to buyers, suppliers and real commercial opportunities.
Empowered entrepreneur at work
6
Impact
Sustainable Livelihoods
Thriving enterprises, financial independence and resilient communities. Lasting change that extends beyond the programme cycle.
What Our Partners Say

Trusted by Leading Development Organizations

★★★★★

"ISDA has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical capability, professionalism, integrity and reliability in delivering high-impact results under demanding operational conditions."

RL
Rural Livelihoods Initiatives Africa (RLIA)
Development Partner — East Africa
★★★★★

"The performance of ISDA is rated as Highly Satisfactory. The assignment was completed within the stipulated timelines and met all quality expectations."

AT
Africa Talent and Change Foundation (ATCF)
Programme Partner — Kenya
★★★★★

"ISDA brings world-class technical expertise and deep field presence. Their commitment to beneficiary outcomes and ethical programming standards is unmatched in the region."

UN
United Nations Agency Partner
International Development Partner
Our Network

Trusted Partners & Collaborators

🌍
United Nations Agencies
🤝
Africa Talent & Change Foundation
🌱
Rural Livelihoods Initiatives Africa
🏛️
Africa Youth Commission
🏦
Financial Institutions
🏛️
Government Institutions
The ISDA Advantage

Why Partner With ISDA?

Eight compelling reasons why leading development organizations choose ISDA for their most critical programmes.

🏆

Proven Track Record

Multi-year, multi-million-dollar portfolio successfully delivered with 100% completion rate.

🎯

Technical Excellence

Deep expertise across enterprise development, BDS, financial inclusion and MEAL frameworks.

🌍

Field-Based Expertise

Strong operational presence in refugee-hosting and underserved regions across East Africa.

⚖️

Ethical Foundation

Uncompromising commitment to integrity, safeguarding, data protection and international standards.

🤝

Partnership Orientation

Collaborative approach that builds local capacity, ensures sustainability and community ownership.

📈

Results-Driven

Focused on measurable outcomes, accountability and long-term impact for every engagement.

⚡

Scalable Capacity

Ability to deploy qualified personnel at scale across multiple locations and complex assignments.

🌐

International Standards

Full adherence to World Bank, UN and international development best practices and ethics.

Performance

Our Performance Highlights

✅
100%
Deliverable Completion Rate across all assignments
⭐
H. Sat.
Consistently "Highly Satisfactory" client ratings
⏱️
On Time
Timely delivery within all stipulated contract periods
🛡️
Zero
Tolerance for safeguarding violations & ethical breaches
📋
Full
Compliance with Terms of Reference on every assignment
Ready to Partner?

Let's Build Something That Lasts

Are you looking for a trusted, capable and results-driven partner for your next development programme? ISDA brings proven expertise, field-based capacity and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Contact Us Today View Our Track Record