Private sector crucial to tackling internal crises – TGI

• Published On: 28 December 2024 at 08:08

Farouk Gumel, Vice Chairman of TGI Group, emphasised the critical role of the private sector in addressing Africa's internal displacement crises at the 2024 Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions to Internal Displacement.

He highlighted how businesses can help to create long-term solutions for displaced people.

The event, organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in collaboration with the Nigerian government, the International Organisation for Migration, and the United Nations Development Programme, brought together key stakeholders from a variety of fields.

They talked about new ways to address the growing problem of internal displacement in Africa.

Gumel emphasised the significance of inclusion as a foundation for sustainable development, saying, "Inclusion is the backbone of sustainable development. The private sector must take a proactive approach to ensuring self-sufficiency and dignity for internally displaced people.

"At TGI, we aim to bridge the gap between displaced persons and long-term opportunities by incorporating them into our agricultural and industrial value chains."

TGI Group reaffirmed its commitment to displaced communities through initiatives such as agricultural skill acquisition programs, financial inclusion projects, and local enterprise development.

The company stated that these efforts aim to increase displaced populations' resilience and reduce their reliance on humanitarian aid.

Habiba Sulieman, Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, moderated a roundtable discussion at the event and emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing internal displacement, saying, "This is not an issue that any single entity can solve alone. TGI is developing pathways for displaced people to integrate into sustainable livelihoods. However, this requires coordinated action from all sectors, including government, private enterprise, and civil society."