Economic Innovation of Transnational Migrants and Refugees in Addis Ababa : Case Studies based on Ethiopian Diaspora, on Somali, Eritrean and Syrian Businesses

Abstract

Ethiopia lies in the Horn of Africa, surrounded by political tension and conflict. The most populated land in the region is home to millions of refugees and migrants while also exporting a large number of workers. Addis Ababa is the capital of this multi-ethnic, civil-war stricken country and has developed into a central migration hub for East Africa. How do these people manage to make a living and build an existence in a city that itself is plagued by high unemployment, overburdened infrastructure and a lack of assistance. What strategies do they follow to escape such sheer hardship and, if necessary, to organize an onward journey? As this study shows, the refugees’ survival is made possible by economic innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and an impressive network which mobilizes resources and generates work opportunities. In addition to the support provided by the Diaspora, refugees and migrants themselves represent an underestimated, transformative potential for the city’s development. Extensive quantitative data combined with impressive case studies is what makes this study an exceptional scientific contribution that links macroeconomic facts with individual life stories.