By Zobia Zulfqar 
The Amahoro Coalition has selected 41 refugee and displaced entrepreneurs for its fourth fellowship cohort, with Ghana among the countries represented by founders participating in the programme.
The latest cohort includes entrepreneurs who either originate from Ghana or currently operate businesses within the country, highlighting Ghana’s growing role as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship among displaced communities across Africa.
According to the coalition, 24 of the 41 selected fellows are women, accounting for nearly 59 percent of the cohort. The remaining participants include 17 men whose backgrounds span 15 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
Collectively, the entrepreneurs are building businesses in 16 African countries, demonstrating the increasingly cross-border nature of entrepreneurship among refugees and displaced persons.
Organisers noted that Ghana appears on both the list of countries of origin and countries of operation, reflecting the diverse experiences of the selected entrepreneurs. Many participants have established businesses in countries different from their homelands, showcasing resilience and adaptability in the face of displacement.
The fellowship programme will run for 12 months and combines self-paced learning, live training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and direct engagement with investors and private-sector leaders.
Participants will be expected to dedicate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week to programme activities throughout the fellowship period, which extends into 2027.
One of the programme’s key attractions is access to funding. Fellows can apply for investments of up to US$160,000, which organisers describe as the largest single funding opportunity currently available for refugee-led businesses worldwide.
The Amahoro Coalition believes the programme can help entrepreneurs overcome barriers to capital, expand their businesses, and create employment opportunities within their communities.
Since its launch, the fellowship has produced significant results. Across its first three cohorts, the programme has supported 88 entrepreneurs operating in 15 African countries.
According to organisers, the businesses involved initially employed 428 people before joining the programme. That number has since increased to more than 2,240 jobs, representing more than a fivefold growth in employment.
The coalition also reported that participating businesses have collectively secured over US$2.4 million in direct funding from Amahoro. In addition, the ventures have attracted more than US$4.1 million in external financing, which organisers attribute partly to the credibility and confidence generated through the fellowship programme.
Julia Oduol, Principal Strategy Custodian for the fellowship, praised the new cohort and described its members as entrepreneurs who are actively creating solutions rather than waiting for change.
“These are leaders who are not waiting for change but are creating it,” she said.
The fellowship receives financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Mastercard Foundation. Global logistics company PSA BDP also contributes by providing mentorship and industry expertise to participants.
Patricia Barandun, Head of Section for Migration and Forced Displacement at the SDC, said the initiative reflects Switzerland’s commitment to supporting locally driven solutions for displaced communities.
She noted that the announcement coincides with the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a landmark United Nations treaty that established legal protections for refugees worldwide.
The inclusion of entrepreneurs connected to Ghana underscores the country’s growing contribution to fostering innovation, business development, and economic inclusion among displaced populations across the continent.
Source: News Ghana
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