Ethiopia says refugee policy is shifting toward integration and self-reliance
Ethiopia says institutional reforms are linking refugee protection with economic participation and development opportunities for more than 1.1 million refugees.
In short
- Ethiopia says institutional reforms are linking refugee protection with economic participation and development opportunities for more than 1.1 million refugees.
Ethiopia is moving its refugee response beyond emergency protection toward integration, self-reliance and economic participation, according to a government statement issued on September 1, 2026.
The statement, attributed to the deputy prime minister, said institutional reforms are intended to connect protection of refugees’ rights and dignity with access to development opportunities. It said the approach covers more than 1.1 million refugees in Ethiopia.
The announcement presents the policy direction but does not specify implementation deadlines, funding commitments or a breakdown of how many refugees currently have access to the planned opportunities. Those details will be important for assessing how the reforms affect refugees and host communities.
