On the 25th of April, a Partners and Sponsors breakfast meeting took place at Roussel House in Donum Dei, Karen. The meeting marked the start of the 7th Annual Africa Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, scheduled for the 15th to the 17th of May. The conference will be a vibrant platform for discussions and presentations on groundbreaking achievements in social entrepreneurship.

The Annual Africa Conference on Social Entrepreneurship (AACOSE) Partners and Sponsors breakfast meeting demonstrated effective teamwork, creativity, and capacity for positive change. In addition to changing the narrative of Africa, Catalyst 2030 and other important players are enabling social entrepreneurs to build a more sustainable and just future for everybody. The breakfast gathering marked the start of what looks to be an inspiring and influential conference based on the talks and connections made. 

During the meeting, Br. Jonas—Director of the Institute for Social Transformation at Tangaza University—stressed the conference’s goal of shifting the narrative about Africa. Rather than depicting the continent in a poor and degrading way, it hopes to highlight the positive social impact of these businesses. Social enterprises are not just businesses; they drive change and transform the continent from within.

Social Enterprise 

At its essence, a social enterprise is a business that prioritizes social or environmental impact over profit. These businesses take innovative approaches to addressing a few of society’s most pressing issues, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental damage.  

AACOSE brings together social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and work on solutions. Workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities will teach participants how social enterprises can drive sustainable development and long-term change in Africa.

This year’s conference will mark a watershed point in Africa’s social entrepreneurship landscape. It will serve as a reminder that Africa is a continent of possibility and innovation, not despair. By emphasizing the influence of social enterprises, the conference helps to construct a new narrative for Africa—one of hope, resilience, and growth. 

Catalyst 2030

Catalyst 2030, the largest movement of social entrepreneurs, is one of the organizers. It is a global movement of social entrepreneurs, innovators, and influencers dedicated to achieving the SDGs by 2030. It brings together people and organizations from across the globe to collaborate, share expertise, and scale innovative solutions to the most critical issues. 

Catalyst 2030 prioritizes collaboration among social entrepreneurs to effect meaningful change and create a more sustainable and equitable future through new solutions and policy changes. They spoke about AACOSE at a General Assembly on Social Entrepreneurship on the 24th of April, emphasising the conference’s significance as a catalyst for change in Africa. Their participation underscores the importance of AACOSE as a crucial event on the social entrepreneurship calendar and their dedication to achieving positive social impact.

George Jomo’s Solubag was also present. Solubag is a prime illustration of the positive effects that social enterprises have. Its innovation in biodegradable packaging solutions is practical and environmentally beneficial. Their products are biodegradable bags that dissolve in water and are safe for animals to consume.

AACOSE draws attention to the revolutionary effects social enterprises—like Solubag—can have on the environment and society. With its creative package design, Solubag has the potential to drastically cut the amount of plastic trash and make the future cleaner and more sustainable.

Financial Inclusivity

By expanding its network to include refugees, Inkomoko is helping entrepreneurs in East Africa access much-needed financial services. The program aims to make refugee communities more resilient and economically independent. This is evidence of the revolutionary power of social enterprises when it comes to solving problematic societal issues. Lack of collateral and restricted access to official banking institutions are only two of the many obstacles that refugees frequently encounter in their quest to access financial services. Their creative strategy aims to provide personalized financial solutions to meet the specific needs of refugee entrepreneurs.

The organization offers various programs to refugees, such as financial literacy training, support for company growth, and micro-loans. These services help refugees start and expand their businesses, enable them to contribute to the regional economy and provide a secure livelihood for themselves and their families. The methodology employed has numerous benefits, one being its focus on empowerment and capacity development. Inkomoko provides refugees with the opportunity to earn a livelihood while also granting them dignity and autonomy by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful business proprietors.

Beyond helping individual business owners, it is beneficial to the larger community. It promotes economic growth, employment creation, and the development of better, more resilient communities through the support of enterprises led by refugees. Their actions are crucial now more than ever as the global refugee crisis deepens. Through the provision of necessary tools and resources, social entrepreneurs are making a significant contribution towards establishing a future that is both sustainable and inclusive for all. 

Mshamba, another partner, is a digital platform transforming Kenya’s agriculture industry. Its goal is to provide farmers with market access and digital extension services. Mshamba, operating in over 30 of Kenya’s 47 counties, seeks to drastically raise farmers’ incomes and change the nation’s agricultural environment. Lack of timely and pertinent agricultural information is one of the main issues Kenyan farmers face. By giving farmers access to digital extension services via their mobile devices, Mshamba tackles this issue. To increase yields and make more informed decisions, farmers can benefit from guidance on optimal agricultural techniques, managing pests and diseases, and weather forecasts.

Empowerment

In Kenya, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) is essential to developing policies and assistance for MSMEs, which account for seventy percent of all businesses. MSEA’s emphasis on MSMEs is crucial since these businesses play a key role in generating employment and economic growth. However, formalization can pose a significant challenge for MSMEs when it comes to accessing markets, financing, and other forms of support. To address this issue, MSEA implements policies that encourage the growth of informal businesses while also advocating for formalization, where appropriate. 

The authority’s approach to supporting MSMEs is to provide incentives for formalization, such as access to capital, training, and market connections, rather than enforcing burdensome restrictions. Additionally, MSEA aims to address other challenges that MSMEs face, such as financing and market access. The authority works with public and private sectors, development partners, and government agencies to establish a conducive atmosphere for the growth and success of MSMEs. This entails creating connections with the market, training people in financial literacy, and easing access to credit through collaborations with financial institutions. MSEA is essential to Kenya’s economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction since it empowers entrepreneurs and fosters the expansion of MSMEs.

This breakfast meeting highlighted the joint efforts creating positive changes in Africa, focusing on the transformative role of social enterprises such as Solubag, Inkomoko, and Mshamba. Supported by Catalyst 2030 and organizations like the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) in Kenya, AACOSE will emphasize the significance of inclusive policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Let us draw inspiration from the transformative power of these social enterprises as we gear up for the 7th Annual Africa Conference on Social Entrepreneurship. Together, we can shape a better future for Africa and its people.