UN Partnership Set to Boost Job Opportunities for Refugees in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, 25 September 2026
A renewed UN partnership in Ethiopia aims to boost job access for refugees, building on an initiative that has already supported over 524,000 displaced people and host community members.
A Strategic Alliance for Economic Self-Reliance
On 24 September 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) signed a pivotal Supplementary Understanding in Ethiopia [2][5]. This agreement, also formalised on 25 September 2026, establishes a renewed commitment to broaden cooperation on economic inclusion, employment, and sustainable livelihoods for both refugees and their host communities [1][3]. By combining the UNHCR’s protection mandate with the ILO’s expertise in labour markets, social dialogue, and enterprise development, the initiative seeks to transition displaced populations from dependency to self-reliance [3]. This collaboration operates under the “PROSPECTS” Partnership, a global initiative launched in 2019 and funded by the Government of the Netherlands, which is scheduled to run until 31 December 2027 [4][5]. Since its inception, joint interventions in Ethiopia have successfully delivered vital socioeconomic services to over 524,000 refugees and host community members [1][2][3].
Addressing a Growing Regional Challenge
The scale of the displacement challenge in Ethiopia is significant. As of 31 July 2025, the country hosted 1,094,380 refugees and asylum seekers [4]. The majority of this population originates from neighbouring countries, with South Sudan accounting for 40.7% of the total, equivalent to approximately 445412.66 individuals [4]. Somalia represents 33.0% of the demographic, whilst Eritrea and Sudan constitute 16.5% and 8.8% respectively [4]. Most of these displaced persons possess limited modern technical skills, making structured economic integration programmes essential [4]. To build resilience, the PROSPECTS programme targets key geographical areas, including the Somali Region’s camps, the Amhara Region, and urban refugee communities in Addis Ababa [4].
Aligning with National Policy and Past Successes
The newly expanded agreement focuses on market-oriented skills development, enhanced market access, digital inclusion, and the protection of labour rights [2][3][5]. This alignment directly supports Ethiopia’s “Makatet Roadmap,” a five-year national framework designed to translate national refugee policy commitments into tangible self-reliance opportunities [2][5]. The renewed partnership builds upon several successful pilot initiatives, such as the Kebribeyah Inclusion Roadmap, which was designed to transform the local Kebribeyah refugee camp into an integrated, climate-resilient urban settlement [2][3]. This was accompanied by the establishment of the Kebribeyah Satellite Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre, providing market-relevant skills training to young refugees and host community members [2][3].
Integrating Social Protection and Health
Furthermore, the joint partnership has focused on social security integration, conducting a feasibility study to include refugees in Ethiopia’s Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme [2][3][5]. A dedicated Technical Working Group was also established to oversee health inclusion [2][3]. These measures reflect a broader shift in humanitarian aid, moving beyond basic safety to provide a sustainable foundation for life [2][3]. Ms. Aissatou M. Ndiaye, the UNHCR Representative in Ethiopia, emphasised this shift, stating that protection must extend beyond security because people cannot reach their full potential without decent work [1][2][3]. Through continued collaboration with the Ethiopian government, private sector partners, and development organisations, the agencies aim to operationalise these commitments into lasting economic opportunities [3].