TGI Group has reiterated the importance of private sector involvement in tackling internal displacement crises across Africa at the 2024 Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions to Internal Displacement.

According to a statement, the Vice Chairman of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel, underscored the role businesses could play in creating sustainable solutions for displaced persons at an event in Lagos.

The event, organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in partnership with the Nigerian government, the International Organisation for Migration, and the United Nations Development Programme, attracted key stakeholders from various sectors to deliberate on innovative approaches to address the rising cases of internal displacement across the continent.

Gumel highlighted the necessity of inclusion as a cornerstone of sustainable development, noting, “Inclusion is the backbone of sustainable development. The private sector must play a proactive role in ensuring self-reliance and dignity for internally displaced persons.

“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 empowering displaced communities through its initiatives, including skills acquisition programmes in agriculture, financial inclusion projects, and local enterprise development.

According to the company, these efforts will foster resilience among displaced populations and reduce their dependency on humanitarian aid.

Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Habiba Sulieman, moderating a roundtable discussion at the event, emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing internal displacement, noting, “This issue is not one any single entity can solve alone. At TGI, we’re creating pathways for displaced individuals to integrate into sustainable livelihoods. However, this requires coordinated action from all sectors—government, private enterprise, and civil society.”

Sulieman also pointed to the potential of scalable community projects, citing examples from TGI’s existing operations, stating, “When businesses align profitability with social impact, the results are transformative—not just for the communities we serve but for our broader society.”