Refugee entrepreneurs are not just aid recipients; they are engines of local economic growth.

Julienne Oyler of the nonprofit Inkomoko argues that displaced people can transform local economies. Instead of focusing solely on food and shelter, her team invests in refugee-led businesses to foster community development and financial inclusion. This talk explores how to scale these innovations globally.

The global population of forcibly displaced people is increasing, prompting a shift in how support is conceptualized. Rather than viewing refugees exclusively through the lens of humanitarian aid, Oyler advocates for treating them as entrepreneurs capable of driving economic activity. Her organization, Inkomoko, works to provide these individuals with the tools and financial services necessary to build sustainable businesses.

By supporting refugee-led ventures, the initiative aims to uplift entire communities and integrate displaced populations into the broader financial system. This approach is part of The Audacious Project, a TED initiative dedicated to funding and scaling ambitious solutions to global challenges.

Source: Julienne Oyler: How displaced people are driving local economies