To address the rising challenge of internal displacement across Africa, the private sector must play a proactive role in ensuring self-reliance and dignity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The Vice Chairman of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel, stated this at the 2024 Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions to Internal Displacement in Lagos. He emphasised the transformative power of private sector intervention in displacement crises, adding that inclusion is the backbone of sustainable development.

Organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with the Nigerian government, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event brought together stakeholders to address the rising challenge of internal displacement across Africa.

While noting that TGI aims to bridge the gap between displaced persons and long-term opportunities by incorporating them into its agricultural and industrial value chains, Gumel said the firm has committed to multiple initiatives to empower displaced communities, including skills acquisition programmes in agriculture, financial inclusion projects, and local enterprise development. The programmes, according to him, are designed to foster resilience and reduce dependency on humanitarian aid.

READ ALSO: Associations empower Taraba IDPs, women as senator urges hope

TGI Group’s Head of Strategic Partnerships, Habiba Sulieman, who moderated a roundtable at the event, reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing displacement.

She noted: “This issue is not something any single entity can solve alone. At TGI, we’re creating pathways for displaced individuals to integrate into sustainable livelihoods. However, this requires coordinated action from all sectors—government, private enterprise, and civil society.”

Sulieman also highlighted the potential of scalable community projects, citing examples from TGI’s existing operations that provide employment and skills to vulnerable populations. “When businesses align profitability with social impact, the results are transformative—not just for the communities we serve but for our broader society,” she said.

The UNHCR 2024 Africa Roundtable marked an important step in fostering partnerships to address the challenges of internal displacement in Africa. TGI Group’s active participation reinforced its commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth while demonstrating how private sector initiatives can drive meaningful change.