Equity Group CEO James Mwangi has said that there is a need for increased social inclusion of refugees in the African continent.
According to Mwangi, this is the surest way to ensure that their lives are changed as well as create a platform for the refugees to thrive.
Speaking at the 2nd edition of the Amaharo Refugee Forum in Accra, Ghana, the Equity Group boss insisted that the issue of refugees should not only be left to governments and humanitarian agencies alone.
"The issue of refugees is too big for individual governments and requires coordinated efforts from the private sector," Mwangi said.
He said equitable provision of key essential services to refugees across the continent will also be crucial in creating opportunities for wealth creation.
Mwangi said this is the reason Equity is partnering with UNHCR to transform lives, give dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation.
"We have realized that the surest way of integrating refugees with host communities is to build programs for them beyond the social safety net payments."
The Equity Group MD noted that some of the ways they have strived to integrate refugees across East Africa into society is by providing financial inclusion programs. This, he said, was with the support of their partners, the UNHCR.
"We chose to integrate refugees into our banking activities. We are now providing them with savings, provide them with loans, and enhance their capacity through financial training and entrepreneurship," Mwangi added.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 108 million persons were forcibly displaced worldwide in 2022 due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and disturbances in public order.
About 74% of the displaced persons were hosted in low- and middle-income countries.
