For decades, the global refugee response has largely focused on one objective: keeping people safe. While humanitarian assistance remains essential, especially during emergencies, long-term dependence on aid is neither sustainable nor beneficial for refugees or the countries that host them. That is why efforts to help refugees become economically self-reliant deserve strong support. Enabling displaced people to build businesses, acquire skills and earn a living is not only a humane approach; it is also a sound economic strategy. ALSO READ: Rwf6bn renewable energy project to benefit refugee camps When refugees are empowered to work, produce and trade, they move from being recipients of assistance to active contributors to society. They create jobs, buy goods and services, support local markets and strengthen value chains. As their incomes grow, so does their contribution to public finances through taxes and other economic activity. This shift also reduces pressure on government resources and humanitarian agencies. Public funds that would otherwise be directed towards long-term welfare can increasingly be invested in infrastructure, healthcare, education and other priorities that benefit both refugees and host communities. In an era of declining international aid and growing humanitarian needs, building resilience is not just desirable; it is necessary. ALSO READ: How refugees in Kiziba are coping after aid reductions The benefits extend beyond economics. Self-reliance restores dignity, confidence and hope. It allows refugees to provide for their families, develop new skills and plan for the future rather than living in perpetual uncertainty. It also strengthens social cohesion by encouraging interaction, trade and shared prosperity between refugees and host communities. Importantly, this approach recognises refugees for what they are: people with talents, ideas and entrepreneurial potential. Given the right policies and opportunities, they can become farmers, business owners, skilled workers and innovators who contribute meaningfully to national development. Investing in refugee self-reliance is therefore not an act of charity. It is an investment in economic growth, fiscal sustainability and social stability. It reflects a long-term vision that replaces dependency with productivity and transforms a humanitarian challenge into a development opportunity. Helping refugees stand on their own feet ultimately benefits everyone. It creates stronger communities, more resilient economies and a future where displacement does not have to mean a lifetime of dependence.
