Hanadi Tutunji, Technical Assistance Program Manager, spoke at the European Microfinance Week 2024 in Luxembourg (EMW 2024).

THE November 14, this session highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to the financial inclusion of refugees, a central theme of this edition. Concrete examples, notably in Uganda, illustrated the need to strengthen the capacities of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and financial actors to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable population.

Refugees, often perceived as a temporary population, actually reside in host countries for long periods. Uganda, For example, 77 % refugees have been living there for more than ten years, making the country the largest host of refugees in Africa and the fifth largest in the world.

During this session, Hanadi Tutunji emphasized the importance of developing tailored financial solutions to promote the economic integration and self-reliance of refugees. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners, emphasizing the need to choose partners aligned with the values of inclusion and social responsibility. The selection of partners is based on their ability to understand the specific needs of refugees and to offer innovative and sustainable solutions.