CEOs commit to unlocking refugees’ economic potential
Discussions focused on breaking down barriers that prevent displaced people from accessing dignified work, starting businesses, and participating in the financial system
Business leaders have called for urgent and collaborative action to unlock economic opportunities for refugees and their host communities.
Speaking during a high-level CEO Leadership Roundtable co-hosted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Amahoro Coalition at a Nairobi hotel, they deliberated on how businesses approach displacement: not as a crisis to be managed, but as an opportunity to drive inclusive growth.
The event served as a powerful prelude to the upcoming African Private Sector Forum on Forced Displacement, set to take place in Nairobi end of this month.
With slightly over 45 million forcibly displaced people living in Africa, the CEOs, under the 2025 Forum’s theme – “All In” – committed to advancing inclusion, investment, and innovation while directly addressing systemic inequality.
Discussions focused on breaking down barriers that prevent displaced people from accessing dignified work, starting businesses, and participating in the financial system.
“This roundtable is part of a growing and deliberate movement across the continent,” said Nancy Aburi, Chief of Private Sector Partnerships Africa, UNHCR. “More and more businesses are recognizing that inclusion is not just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage. When companies go ‘all in,’ they help create markets that are stronger, more resilient, and reflective of Africa’s full potential.”
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo Jnr, the Founder and Curator of the Amahoro Coalition, added: “Africa’s displaced communities are rich in talent and economic potential. Integrating this talent into supply chains, teams, and strategies is not about charity – it sounds business. When refugees and displaced persons are part of economic ecosystems, companies gain new insights, markets expand, and industries grow stronger.”
During the roundtable, Saralyn Wairumi, Associate Director at Equity Bank Ltd, on her part, stated: “Equity Bank’s operating model lies at the intersection of commercial success, social impact, and sustainability goals. For over a decade, we’ve supported cash transfers, opened branches in refugee-hosting areas, and extended loans to both refugees and host communities – proving that inclusive finance can transform lives and communities.”
Karen Basiye, Director of Sustainable Business and Social Development at Safaricom, noted: “True transformation happens when businesses see refugees not just as beneficiaries, but as partners in economic growth. Refugees are seeking opportunities to contribute, build businesses, and become part of thriving economies. The private sector has a unique role in unlocking this potential by creating partnerships that are both profitable and impactful.”
