How displaced people are driving local economies | Julienne Oyler

Forcibly displaced populations represent a massive, untapped economic potential that requires a shift from short-term humanitarian aid to long-term investment. With over 117 million people displaced globally, the traditional narrative framing refugees as burdens ignores their inherent resilience and entrepreneurial capacity. Success stories like the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, which now hosts over 10,000 businesses, demonstrate that when displaced individuals receive access to capital and business training, they drive regional economic growth. Julienne Oyler, CEO of Inhomoko, highlights that refugee entrepreneurs often exhibit high repayment rates and deep market understanding, making them viable investment targets. To address the accelerating climate and conflict-driven displacement crisis, investors and policymakers must prioritize economic inclusion, treating displaced people as active contributors to the global economy rather than passive recipients of charity.