Private sector, government and development actors unite to drive solutions to internal displacement in Africa

LAGOS – Discussions between business leaders, governments, development actors and international organizations kicked off in Nigeria's capital today, exploring how the private sector can address the needs of communities affected by internal displacement across Africa.

The 2024 Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions to Internal Displacement is organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, the Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Solutions to Internal Displacement and co-hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly 50 per cent of the world’s 63 million internally displaced people (IDPs), driven from their homes primarily by conflict and increasingly by the impacts of climate change. Internally displaced individuals often face barriers to accessing basic services and economic opportunities, which deepen reliance on humanitarian aid and strain host communities.

“Jobs and economic opportunities are critical to transforming the lives of displaced people,” said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. “The private sector has the unique ability to foster innovation and drive economic inclusion, creating resilience and stability for both displaced populations and host communities.”

Today’s discussions involving over 250 participants will spotlight investment opportunities in agriculture, housing, and technology, as well as ways to overcome barriers to private sector investment in displacement-affected regions, in collaboration with government and development actors. High-level participants include representatives from governments, the private sector and civil society organizations.

The outcomes of the roundtable aim to build strengthened partnerships and spur firm commitments to support displaced communities across Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• In Nigeria: Edward Ogolla, External Relations Officer, [email protected], +234 9010660511
• In Dakar: Alpha Seydi Ba, Snr Communications Officer, [email protected], +221 77 200 36 81