Ethiopia Pioneers Innovative Approach to Refugee Integration, Aiming for Self-Sustaining Urban Centers

In a groundbreaking move, Ethiopia is transforming traditional refugee camps into thriving, self-sustaining urban centers, promoting social cohesion and economic opportunities for both displaced populations and host communities. This ambitious vision was a key focus of the recent 4th IGAD Scientific Conference on Migration, Displacement, and Urbanization, held in Addis Ababa. The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and development partners to address the complex challenges of human mobility and urban transformation in East Africa.

Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnee Service (RRS) highlighted the country’s extensive experience with forced displacement, currently hosting nearly 1.1 million refugees from 27 countries. To address the strain on urban systems, Ethiopia is launching its "Makatet Roadmap," which signifies a fundamental shift from a "care and maintenance" approach to development-focused integration of refugees into the national system. The roadmap aims to convert two refugee camps into fully integrated urban centers by 2027, featuring improved infrastructure and essential services.

The ultimate vision is to create "vibrant, peaceful communities" where economic opportunities are accessible to all, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities. Ethiopia acknowledges the limitations of traditional encampment models and is seeking to address inefficiencies by fostering self-reliance, market access, and peaceful coexistence. The Makatet Roadmap aligns with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Refugees.

Dorothee Hutter, Country Director for GIZ in Ethiopia and Djibouti, commended the conference as an example of international cooperation in developing fact-based understandings of challenges. She emphasized the urgent need for effective policy engagement based on rigorous academic research to address the multifaceted challenges posed by migration and displacement in the Horn of Africa.

The IGAD region continues to face one of the world’s most severe displacement crises, with millions uprooted by conflict, climate change, and socio-economic fragility. However, with initiatives like the Makatet Roadmap and the Melkadida Compact, a local development and climate adaptation plan, Ethiopia is paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive approach to refugee integration. As the region shifts its focus towards development-oriented solutions, programs are being implemented to improve access to education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities for refugees, IDPs, and host communities.

The 4th Scientific Conference underscored IGAD’s commitment to advancing research-driven policies for complex migration and urbanization issues, seeking to shape inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban futures across the region. With one in every 14 people in the IGAD region displaced, the need for innovative solutions has never been more pressing. Ethiopia’s pioneering approach to refugee integration serves as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and sustainable future, where economic opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their background or displacement status.