NAIROBI, Kenya, April 2 – Business leaders in Nairobi have pledged to drive economic inclusion for refugees and host communities at a high-level CEO Leadership Roundtable, co-hosted by UNHCR and the Amahoro Coalition.
The roundtable, a prelude to the African Private Sector Forum on Forced Displacement set for April 29, emphasized private sector-led solutions to unlock opportunities for Africa’s 45 million forcibly displaced people.
“Inclusion is not just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage,” said Nancy Aburi, UNHCR’s Chief of Private Sector Partnerships Africa.
Key commitments included financial institutions expanding access to credit for refugee entrepreneurs, telecom firms enhancing digital and financial inclusion, and businesses integrating displaced communities into their supply chains.
The discussions underscored the need for sustainable, market-driven solutions, with industry leaders emphasizing that inclusion is both a social responsibility and a strategic economic opportunity.
Equity Bank’s Saralyn Wairumi highlighted the bank’s inclusive finance model, while Safaricom’s Karen Basiye stressed the need to see refugees as economic contributors, not just beneficiaries.
The roundtable signals growing private sector leadership in tackling forced displacement through innovation, investment, and policy advocacy.
