During the first Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Uber announced its commitment to empower 1000 refugees to become driver-partners on its platform in Africa by December 2022. Starting with a pilot of 50 refugees in Uganda and then scaling this initiative in Uganda and other countries in the region, Uber aims to provide further access to disadvantaged and underserved communities by connecting individuals to flexible earning opportunities.
To help refugees become economically productive and gain access to finance to lease a car, Uber, in partnership with the Tent Partnership for Refugees (Tent), will provide a grant whose funds will serve as a first loss guarantee against potential defaults on the refugees’ car loans. With this assurance, PostBank, a bank in Uganda, will offer car loans to refugees at a competitive rate as well as offer financial literacy support, appreciating that for most refugees, this is the first time they are taking on such a financial obligation.
Speaking at the private sector dinner at the Global Refugee Forum, Mimi Omokri, Head of Business Development, Uber Sub-Saharan Africa explains, “This programme holds the potential to change the lives of many refugees living in Uganda and across Africa which are often seen as sub-prime lenders and too risky to qualify for traditional credit. Through this programme, we believe they will be able to meaningfully improve their livelihoods and enable them to get into the driver’s seat when it comes to their own future.”
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Uber will also partner with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Kampala based NGO, Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) to identify refugee drivers to participate in the programme, support the onboarding, upskilling and performance.
“Refugees often face increased barriers to finance and to employment when they are starting new lives in their host communities. This is why its this innovative partnership between Tent, Uber and other NGOs has the potential to meaningfully improve refugees’ lives across Africa,” says Gideon Maltz, Executive Director at Tent. “We are proud of Uber’s leadership in this space.”