Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Annual Report 2024 2025

On 6 May 2025, against a backdrop of a shifting development finance landscape, and growing demand for inclusive growth models, the Schwab Foundation, together with the World Economic Forum, Government of Kenya, African Union Commission, ILO, Motsepe Foundation and Africa Forward, convened a landmark high- level roundtable in Nairobi, Kenya, on Unlocking the Social and Solidarity Economy in Africa. Over 90 leaders participated, including eight African governments – Kenya, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal and South Africa – alongside senior G20 representation. Multinationals, African corporations, development finance institutions, foundations, social entrepreneurs, cooperatives and global networks added to the strong cross-sector presence. Centred on implementing the African Union’s 10- Year SSE Strategy, adopted in February 2025, the discussions produced five priority actions: create enabling policy frameworks, scale financial and technical support, open procurement pathways, strengthen research and data, and raise visibility through strategic engagement. Concrete outcomes included commitments from multiple governments to explore or accelerate national SSE strategies, growing private sector interest in social procurement and agreement to harness South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency to position SSE globally. The event cemented new alliances to scale purpose-driven solutions across the continent.Roundtable on Unlocking the Social and Solidarity Economy Image: 90 leaders and experts convened in Nairobi for a high-level Roundtable on Unlocking the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Africa. Credit: Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship 43 Schwab Foundation Annual Report 2024–2025