Addis Ababa, June 18, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia has officially launched the Makatet Roadmap, a comprehensive national framework aimed at advancing the socio-economic inclusion of refugees while expanding opportunities and essential services for host communities.
Unveiled at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, the roadmap marks a shift from traditional humanitarian assistance toward a long-term, government-led development approach that integrates refugees into national systems and promotes self-reliance.
The initiative seeks to transform refugee settlements into inclusive and sustainable communities linked to Ethiopia’s education, healthcare, and economic development systems, benefiting both refugees and the communities that host them.
Speaking at the launch, Tagesse Chafo described the roadmap as a landmark national strategy that will expand protection, opportunity, and shared prosperity for refugees and host communities alike.
Director-General of the Refugees and Returnees Service, Teyiba Hassen, said the initiative represents a decisive move beyond traditional encampment policies, establishing a unified framework in which refugees and local communities can thrive together.
Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide emphasized that integrating refugee services into national systems will improve resource efficiency, strengthen economic resilience, and create sustainable development outcomes.
The roadmap received strong endorsement from international partners.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih described the launch of the Refugee Inclusive Socio-Economic Roadmap as a milestone in improving refugee livelihoods. He also expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s leadership and its longstanding tradition of hosting people fleeing conflict, persecution, and instability.
African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Dorothy Mataboge said the Makatet Roadmap offers a practical example of how African countries can translate refugee inclusion commitments into concrete action. She noted that Ethiopia’s initiative has been widely recognized as a model of political commitment, national ownership, and whole-of-government engagement.
According to the commissioner, the roadmap demonstrates how refugee inclusion, self-reliance, and durable solutions can be advanced in line with Agenda 2063’s vision of an integrated, prosperous, and inclusive Africa that leaves no one behind.