Keynote Address at the Africa Forum on Displacement 2025 – “All In”

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, partners, and friends – good morning. It is a great honor to join you here in Nairobi for the third Africa Forum on Displacement. On behalf of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, I thank you all for being “All In” with us today.

I extend my sincere gratitude to our co-conveners and hosts: the Government of Kenya for welcoming us in this beautiful and dynamic city, and our partners from the Amahoro Coalition and Inkomoko. I also acknowledge the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation and IKEA Foundation, and thank the many private sector leaders, philanthropists, and refugee representatives in the room.

This gathering reflects an unwavering commitment by Africa’s business community and supporters, even amid challenging times. I am heartened to see such a strong turnout of private sector partners – from CEOs to social entrepreneurs – united by a shared purpose. Thank you for standing with Africa’s displaced people. Your presence and dedication send a powerful message: that we refuse to turn our backs on those forced to flee, and that we believe in their potential.

It has been four years since our first forum, “36 Million Solutions,” in 2021. Back then, 36 million people in Africa were forcibly displaced – a number that itself felt overwhelming. Today, that figure has swelled to over 45 million men, women, and children displaced across this continent​. That’s nearly half of all displaced people worldwide​. Each of these 45 million individuals has a name, a face, and a story. They are not just statistics – they represent untapped markets, human capital, and economic potential​ waiting to be realized.

Think about what this means. In just a few short years, conflict and instability – from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa – have uprooted millions more. The conflict in Sudan alone, tragically, has become the largest displacement crisis in Africa, with over 12 million people forced to flee since April 2023. Across the continent, deepening instability and systemic inequalities continue to force families from their homes in search of safety. We are facing a displacement crisis that, for many, has no end in sight and is becoming a defining challenge of this generation.

And yet, even as the crisis grows, so does the opportunity – if we choose to seize it. Africa’s displaced are teachers, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and dreamers. They are people like any of us, who want nothing more than a fair chance: to earn a living, to educate their children, to live in safety and dignity. They have skills and ambitions to contribute. If we include them, invest in them, and innovate together, these 45 million displaced individuals can become engines of growth – for themselves, for their host communities, and for all of Africa. This is the core premise of our theme “All In.”

“All In” is a call to action and a mindset. It leverages the “IN” to highlight four key pillars: INclusion, INvestment, INnovation, and addressing INstability and INequality​. Allow me to briefly reflect on each of these, because they frame why we are here today:

• Inclusion – Everyone has a role to play, including displaced people themselves. Refugees and internally displaced persons must be included in our economies and societies, not left on the margins. Inclusion means refugee children in school alongside nationals, refugees able to work or start businesses, and families living within communities, not apart from them. When we include the displaced, we unlock a multiplier of peace, prosperity, and possibility​.
• Investment – We need bold investment to match the scale of the challenge. This means financial resources, yes, but also investing time, knowledge, and political will. Not charity, but shared value investment that benefits both refugees and their host countries​. The private sector in Africa is thriving even as traditional aid budgets are strained​file. So we must tap into Africa’s growing engines of finance and industry to support solutions for displacement. “All In” calls on African businesses, banks, and investors to integrate displacement into their core strategies – to see supporting refugees not as philanthropy alone, but as investing in Africa’s future workforce and consumer base.
• Innovation – Old approaches are not enough. We need innovative, market-driven solutions for refugees and hosts. This could be new technologies connecting refugees to online work, fintech solutions providing banking for the unbanked, or social enterprises unlocking refugee talent. Many such innovations are already in motion. Around Africa, we see refugee entrepreneurs creating jobs, startups developing new services for refugee communities, and partnerships that we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. We must nurture this spirit of innovation – including refugee-led innovation. Refugees themselves are often the best innovators when given the chance, as they know what works in their communities. UNHCR is proud to champion refugee-led initiatives, investing in refugee entrepreneurs, teachers, health workers, and technologists.
• Instability and Inequality – Finally, “All In” compels us to tackle the root causes and fallout of displacement. Conflict, persecution, and inequality are driving people from their homes. We cannot address displacement without addressing the instability that causes it, and the inequalities that both result from and exacerbate it. This means not only working for peace and good governance, but also ensuring that refugees and their host communities share in development and prosperity. If refugee-hosting regions remain marginalized and impoverished, instability will persist. Conversely, if we invest in those areas—in education, jobs, and infrastructure—we not only support the displaced but also foster greater stability and more inclusive growth. Refugee inclusion and long-term resilience are key to achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity for all. When everyone has the opportunity to contribute, we all benefit from stronger, more resilient communities.

These four pillars – Inclusion, Investment, Innovation, and tackling Instability/Inequality – are deeply intertwined. Together, they sum up an approach that says: we must go “all in,” 100% commitment, to solve displacement by empowering those affected and those who host them. Partial measures or half-hearted efforts will not suffice for the challenges we face.

A Candid Look at Challenges: Funding Cuts and the Need for Partnerships

Ladies and gentlemen, I must be honest about the context in which this Forum takes place. As we strive to go “All In,” we are confronting headwinds that make our task more daunting. Globally, humanitarian funding is under severe strain. UNHCR’s financial situation is the toughest it has been in years. Our operations are dramatically underfunded, even as needs reach record highs. This year, UNHCR appealed for over $10 billion globally to assist refugees and others in need, reflecting the skyrocketing numbers of displaced people. Yet by the end of February, we had only 14% of the required funds on hand​. The gap between what is needed and what is available is widening.

What do these abstract numbers mean in human terms? It means that without more support, we are being forced to cut or curtail life-saving assistance. Already we’ve seen painful reductions: in some operations, health budgets have been slashed by over 80%, jeopardizing clinics and medicine for refugees​. Food rations have been reduced in several refugee camps due to funding shortfalls. Education programs are struggling to keep classrooms open. None of this is by choice – it’s due to lack of resources. It is a cruel irony that at a time of unprecedented displacement, the humanitarian system is stretched to the breaking point.

When humanitarian aid cannot keep up, we need new and broad partnerships and solutions. This Forum is more necessary than ever – it is precisely the kind of platform where we can forge strategic partnerships to help bridge the gap. We are here to mobilize the creativity, energy, and resources of the private sector and other stakeholders, so that together we find smarter and more sustainable ways to support displaced people.

Forums like AFD 2025 allow us to connect ideas with investors, share responsibility, and ensure that even in times of financial challenge, refugees are not left behind. While obstacles persist, they only strengthen our resolve to think creatively and engage every willing partner. Your presence here, especially from the private sector, sends a powerful message of solidarity and commitment.

Let me also assure you: UNHCR remains fully committed to its mandate, even amid these financial challenges and even as we undergo internal transformations to adapt to a changing world. We are actively streamlining our operations to be more efficient and impactful. We are prioritizing the most critical needs and making difficult choices to stretch every dollar. And we are doubling down on building partnerships – with governments, with NGOs, and, very importantly, with the private sector. Institutional change is never easy, but I want you to know that UNHCR’s core mission – to protect and find solutions for people forced to flee – is unwavering. Even as we reform how we work, we will not relent in our duty to refugees and displaced communities. Our presence across Africa remains robust, with staff in dozens of countries working hand-in-hand with authorities and communities. We may have fewer resources at the moment, but our determination is undiminished.

In fact, I see this period of challenge as a chance to reinvent and re-energize how we approach displacement. We are committed to innovating our own ways of working – becoming more agile, more locally driven, and more enterprise-minded in partnering with you. UNHCR wants to be not just a humanitarian agency, but a catalyst – an enabler of others to join the cause. That’s why events like this, bringing together diverse actors, are so important to us.

Despite the obstacles, there are many reasons for hope. I stand here feeling hopeful because I have seen what is possible when we truly go “all in” and work together. Since our last forum in 2023 – and even since our first forum in 2021 – we have made real progress that we can build upon. Promises have turned into projects, and pledges into tangible results.

We often measure success in big numbers, but it’s the human stories behind them that truly inspire. Let me share an experience from just yesterday, during my visit to Kakuma. I had the privilege of meeting several refugees who have shown extraordinary resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. One young refugee I met was [Name], who fled their home at a young age and, despite the challenges of life in the camp, has worked tirelessly to build a future. [Name] is now running a small business, offering [details about their business], and has already begun employing other refugees and local community members. This isn’t charity; this is the power of self-reliance and the immense potential that lies within the displaced.

What I saw in Kakuma was a common thread: an unwavering determination to rebuild, to create, and to contribute. From small-scale entrepreneurs to students eager to make a difference, there is a strong, inspiring spirit in Kakuma.

Stories like these remind us that when we invest in refugees’ education and skills, we ignite a chain of hope and opportunity. This is not just about one individual’s success – it ripples out, affecting their families, their communities, and their entire region.

And this spirit of entrepreneurship isn’t isolated to Kakuma. Across the continent, refugee-led businesses are blossoming when given the chance. These initiatives have the potential to transform entire communities – turning displaced individuals into economic contributors, job creators, and leaders.

This is the impact of investing in people. It’s not just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. When we go “all in” on people’s potential, we help them rebuild their lives and strengthen communities.

Since our previous forums, we’ve seen real commitments turn into action – new schools, healthcare initiatives, and refugee-led projects have made a tangible difference. These partnerships continue to drive meaningful change in education, livelihoods, and community empowerment, demonstrating the power of collective action.

These examples underscore a crucial point: solutions are in motion. We are not starting from zero. Despite all the grim headlines, there is a parallel narrative of ingenuity and commitment that is gaining steam. We have seen what going “all in” can achieve, even on a modest scale – and now our task is to scale it up massively.

Kenya's Leadership in Refugee Inclusion: A Model for Africa

For decades, Kenya has stood out as a champion of refugee inclusion in Africa. I wish to pay tribute to the Government of Kenya for consistently leading by example – not only offering refuge to those fleeing conflict, but actively integrating refugees into national development plans and local services. This inclusive approach, rooted in generosity and vision, has set Kenya apart as a nation that turns policy into practice and principles into tangible progress.

Building on this legacy, Kenya recently unveiled the ambitious Shirika Plan, translating its long-term vision into concrete action. True to its name (meaning “cooperation”), the Shirika Plan aims to transform refugee camps into vibrant, integrated communities where refugees and their Kenyan hosts can build a shared future together. We salute this bold initiative – already being hailed as a model for Africa and beyond – and the forward-thinking leadership behind it. By embracing inclusion and self-reliance, Kenya is showing the world that a cooperative approach to displacement benefits both refugees and host nations alike, lighting the way for others to follow.

The Shirika Plan through its high impact actions is making real change by providing refugees the opportunity to work, access land, and receive education and healthcare, contributing directly to local economies and reducing dependency on humanitarian aid. It is a comprehensive approach to resilience, where refugees are not just surviving – they are thriving and building a future. Kenya’s leadership in this area is a powerful example of how inclusive policies can drive long-term, sustainable change, creating a foundation for both refugees and host communities to prosper together.

Friends and colleagues, as I conclude, I want to return to the simple idea of our theme: All In. To me, going “all in” means three things: courage, conviction, and collaboration. It means having the courage to take risks and do things differently, the conviction that inclusive investments will pay off for everyone, and the collaboration of all sectors working together as true partners.

We have heard today about challenges – they are real, and they are enormous. But I stand before you hopeful. Hopeful because I’ve seen a mother in a refugee settlement smile with pride as she opens the door to her own small shop for the first time. Hopeful because I’ve seen a refugee student in a crowded classroom raise his hand with confidence, knowing that his dreams are within reach. Hopeful because I look around this room and see leaders who refuse to accept the status quo of suffering and exclusion.

Each of you here – whether you represent a company, a foundation, a government, or a refugee community – has a part to play. If you are from the private sector, I urge you: integrate refugees into your hiring, supply chains, and investments. Use your voice to champion refugee-inclusive policies. If you are from government, I urge you to continue pioneering progressive approaches, to create the legal and economic space for refugees to contribute, and to invest in host areas. If you are from a foundation or NGO, help us pilot new ideas and scale up what works. And to the refugees and host community representatives here: keep leading, keep innovating, and hold us accountable to our promises. Your lived experience and initiatives light the way forward.

We must and we can do more. We must go “All In.” The message of this forum is clear: together, we can build a future where displacement leads to real opportunities, not just challenges. A future where refugees have the chance to rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and achieve their full potential.

The Africa Forum on Displacement 2025 highlights the important progress already made, particularly through the leadership of the private sector. The solutions to displacement are not just the responsibility of governments and international organizations—they are driven by the private sector’s commitment to innovation, investment, and collaboration. The contributions of businesses, foundations, and other private actors are helping to create sustainable, long-term solutions for displacement.

We must continue to build on the momentum of these efforts. Let’s take every success story, every pledge made, and expand them to reach more communities, more refugees, and more businesses.

This is the moment we continue to accelerate progress. This is when refugees become a vital part of the economy and society, and the idea of being “All In” becomes a reality that changes millions of lives.

Thank you.