The Government of Ethiopia has officially launched the MAKATET (ማካተት) Roadmap on 18 June 2026, a landmark national framework aimed at advancing the socio-economic inclusion of refugees while strengthening opportunities and services for host communities.
Unveiled during a high-level ceremony at the Adwa Memorial Museum, the Roadmap marks a significant shift from humanitarian assistance toward sustainable, government-led development solutions.
Developed through extensive consultations with government institutions, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations and refugee representatives, the Framework provides a unified blueprint for integrating refugees into national systems and local development plans.
In her welcoming address, Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) Director General Teyiba Hassen described the Roadmap as a decisive step toward inclusive development.
“The Makatet Roadmap represents our commitment to moving beyond fragmented assistance toward a coordinated, government-led approach where refugees and host communities can thrive together,” she said.
Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide emphasized the importance of embedding refugees within national development systems.
“Refugees are not merely beneficiaries of assistance; they are potential contributors to economic growth and national development,” he noted.
UN Resident Coordinator Ozonnia Ojielo praised the Roadmap as a model of partnership and collective action, while the Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware affirmed the Authority’s readiness to stand by those forced to flee and help them ensure their resilience.
African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Dorothy Mataboge also commended Ethiopia’s leadership in advancing inclusive solutions to displacement across Africa as the Makatet vision aligns with the continent’s aspirations for inclusion, dignity and stability.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Barham Salih welcomed the initiative as a global example of how refugee protection and national development can be pursued together, reaffirming UNHCR’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia and mobilizing international solidarity.
“Ethiopia has set a profound example for the rest of the world by demonstrating that refugee protection and national development can advance hand-in-hand. As such, it’s high time for the global community to ease the burden of the host government and share responsibilities to help refugees and host communities thrive together,” the HC stressed.
The event concluded with the Government of Ethiopia reaffirming its commitment to implementing the Initiative across refugee-hosting regions through area-based planning, stronger national systems and sustained partnerships.
Addressing the high-profile gathering on behalf of the Government, Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives Tagesse Chaffo said Ethiopia is ready to lead this transition.
“Through robust coordination, we’ll ensure that our national systems are strong enough to provide protection, opportunity and better future for both refugees and the generous communities that host them,” Tagesse underlined.
The launch of the Makatet Roadmap marks a major milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to integrate refugees into national development processes, promoting inclusion, resilience and shared prosperity for refugees and host communities alike.
Effective implementation of the Roadmap requires strong internal coordination among government institutions, civil society and local communities, while external partners, donors and regional actors should align their commitments to achieve the Roadmap’s intended goals and ensure a lasting impact.
