Why refugee entrepreneurs are the untapped engine of local economic growth
In short: Julienne Oyler argues that displaced people are not just aid recipients but active economic drivers. Her organization, Inkomoko, shifts the focus from basic survival to business investment, demonstrating how supporting refugee entrepreneurs can uplift entire communities and integrate them into formal financial systems.
While global displacement numbers continue to climb, traditional aid models frequently prioritize immediate needs like food and shelter. Julienne Oyler, speaking at TED2025 on April 9, 2025, proposes a different approach through her nonprofit, Inkomoko. By providing refugee entrepreneurs with the tools to build businesses, the initiative aims to foster long-term economic resilience rather than mere dependency.
This strategy is part of The Audacious Project, a TED initiative designed to scale global change. Oyler highlights that displaced populations already contribute to local markets, and by scaling these innovations and improving access to financial services, these entrepreneurs can become significant catalysts for community development.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Displaced People Are Driving Local Economies | Julienne Oyler | TED
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