Amahoro Coalition eyes Ethiopian private sector to boost refugee employment

The Amahoro Coalition is seeking to engage Ethiopian companies in initiatives designed to employ refugees and finance their businesses. Ahead of the Africa Private Sector Forum on Displacement scheduled for November 16–18, organizers highlighted past successes, claiming at least 50,000 jobs were created across Africa through similar partnerships. The initiative aims to connect displaced people with private sector opportunities in sectors like fashion, digital technology, and gaming. Coalition representative Tilte Mbarhiti emphasized that the focus is on integrating displaced populations into the entire value chain of industries, rather than just direct recruitment. While the organization cites significant employment figures from previous efforts, it has not provided a breakdown of job types or independent verification of these results. Local partners like Inkomoko Ethiopia argue that capital must be combined with business advisory services to be truly effective for entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, UNHCR representatives stated that current efforts focus on coordinating with government institutions to improve regulations surrounding refugees' right to work.