Toyota Tsusho launches skills building programme for refugees in collaboration with UNHCR in Uganda
- First collaboration of its kind between UNHCR and a Japanese company to provide refugees in Africa with practical skills in the automotive industry -

  • Africa

2022-03-30

Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") announced today that it is collaborating with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and group company CFAO Motors Uganda on a new project which aims to provide refugees in Uganda with training on vehicle mechanics . This initiative will start in April 2022. It is the first collaboration of its kind between UNHCR and a Japanese company to provide refugees with practical skills in the automobile industry. The programme is expected to improve the refugee trainees' livelihoods opportunities and thus contribute to self-reliance of refugee communities.

Promoting refugee self-reliance is a pressing issue in Africa, as refugees in the continent still face considerable barriers in this area. They are often unable to access quality training, employment, or financial services, and have limited opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Uganda hosts the greatest number of refugees in Africa. As of 31 January 2022, Uganda hosts almost 1.6 million displaced persons, of which over 59% are under the age of 18.

So far, Toyota Tsusho has supported skills development in Africa through programs tailored to target the social issues of each country and the opening of training centers. For this new project, the company is collaborating with UNHCR to support its mission to provide solutions for displaced communities. The project aims to provide training to refugees in Uganda to develop their skills on vehicle mechanics. This project aims to encourage self-reliance of refugees, thus easing the pressure on Uganda as a refugee-hosting country and contributing to the economic development of both refugee and host communities.

Based on the "WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA" philosophy, the Toyota Tsusho Group seeks to grow with the people and communities of Africa while further reinforcing and expanding business foundations. The Group will look beyond business creation to contribute to the autonomous growth of the continent through proactive measures to develop human resources and make social contributions.

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving assistance that includes shelter, food and water, as well as help safeguard fundamental human rights. We also develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future and work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

Pictures of the training image to develop vehicle mechanics.



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