23/07/2026
For a refugee student, connectivity can open the door to education. For an entrepreneur, it can unlock access to markets and financial services. For families separated by conflict, it is a vital link to loved ones.
This week in Addis Ababa, the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and UNHCR Ethiopia convened the 2026 Plenary of the Refugee Connectivity and Digital Inclusion Working Group, bringing together government institutions, regulators, financial service providers, development partners, and refugee-led enterprises to advance digital inclusion for refugees and host communities.
The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges ahead. While mobile broadband coverage reaches most of Ethiopia's population, many people particularly refugees and those in underserved areas still face barriers to accessing and benefiting from digital services. Closing this gap requires more than connectivity alone. It requires affordable access, digital skills, inclusive policies, digital identity, and pathways to financial inclusion.
A high-level panel featuring the National Bank of Ethiopia, RRS, IFC, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and a refugee entrepreneur explored practical solutions to expand access to digital identities, financial services, and meaningful participation in Ethiopia's digital transformation.
One message resonated throughout the event: refugee inclusion is most effective when refugees themselves are part of shaping the solutions.
As the Working Group enters its next phase, partners will focus on priority actions to strengthen connectivity, advance digital financial inclusion, and create opportunities for refugees to thrive alongside their host communities.
Together, we are building a future where everyone can be connected, included, and empowered.
