UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih visited the Makatet refugee inclusion programme in Addis Ababa this week [1].
The visit underscores Ethiopia's attempt to establish a new standard for refugee integration across Africa by moving beyond temporary camp settings. This initiative aims to integrate displaced populations into national systems rather than keeping them isolated.
Salih traveled to Ethiopia to highlight the country's leadership in refugee protection and to discuss the specifics of the Makatet roadmap [3]. The initiative focuses on creating sustainable pathways for refugees to access services and economic opportunities within the host community.
During the visit, Salih said the initiative was an "important ambitious roadmap" [4]. The project is designed to transition refugees from dependency on humanitarian aid toward self-reliance and legal inclusion in the local economy.
Ethiopia officially launched the Makatet Roadmap on June 18, 2026 [5]. The framework provides a structured plan for the government and international partners to coordinate the inclusion of refugees into social, and economic sectors.
While reports on the visiting official vary between the High Commissioner and the Chairperson of the UNHCR Executive Committee, the focus of the mission remained the evaluation of the Makatet project [1, 3]. The UN delegation sought to assess how the roadmap can be scaled or replicated in other regions facing similar displacement crises.
Ethiopia continues to host one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. The Makatet project represents a shift in policy that prioritizes the rights of refugees to work and move freely, a move that distinguishes it from more restrictive regimes in neighboring states.
“important ambitious roadmap”
The Makatet roadmap signifies a strategic pivot from the 'camp model' of refugee management to an 'inclusion model.' By granting refugees greater access to local markets and services, Ethiopia is testing whether economic integration can reduce the long-term financial burden on humanitarian agencies while improving the stability of displaced populations.
