NewsENA English3 July 2026

Job Fair for Refugees, Nationals Held in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, July 2, 2026 (ENA) —A job fair designed to connect refugee and Ethiopian graduates with employers was held in Addis Ababa today. The event brought together university and TVET graduates, government institutions, IT companies, development partners, and refugees to promote practical learning opportunities, decent employment, and inclusive economic participation.   Speaking at the event, Refugees and Returnees Service Deputy Director-General, Bruhtesfa Mulugeta, said the initiative demonstrates that refugees are active contributors to development, innovation, and economic growth rather than passive recipients of assistance. He noted that Ethiopia’s 2019 Refugee Proclamation has expanded refugees’ access to education, employment, and essential services, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the country’s economy.   Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia, Christine Pirenne, commended Ethiopia’s leadership in promoting refugee inclusion, highlighting the recently launched Market Based Refugee Inclusion Road map and the country’s legal framework that guarantees refugees the right to work and access economic opportunities. She emphasized that while strong legal frameworks are important, greater efforts are needed to ensure their effective implementation and raise awareness of refugees’ rights.   ILO Country Director, Khumbula Ndaba, said Ethiopia is emerging as a continental leader in technology and digital innovation, creating opportunities to serve not only its domestic market but also the wider African region. He noted that Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda will help expand productive employment, particularly for young people affected by forced displacement, by providing practical work experience and pathways into ICT careers.   The Country Director also praised the partnership between the ILO and the Ethiopian IT Park, saying the initiative promotes inclusion by enabling refugees and host community youth to participate together in work-based learning, job matching, and career opportunities in software development, cyber security, IT enabled services, data center operations, and other digital sectors.