State of Social Enterprise Africa 2025

Purposes for tracking social and environmental impact FIGURE 21 To monitor impact metrics related to core purpose For internal decision-making Other To monitor other social and/or environmental metrics To create reports for funders To share data with customers To create public annual reports74% 50% 43% 41% 40% 34% 27% Source: Survey data, World Economic Forum1.10 Impact measurement While social enterprises are designed to deliver social, environmental and economic outcomes, many still lack robust systems to demonstrate, quantify and communicate their impacts. This gap can limit their ability to gain recognition and support from funders and financiers, partners and policy-makers but also support deeper organizational learning and strategic growth.67Of the social enterprises surveyed, 98% recognize the importance of monitoring social and environmental impact, but only 50% already do so and 48% plan to do so. Almost three- quarters (74%) of social enterprises reported measuring impact metrics related to their core purpose, but using data for decision-making (50%) and external reporting to funders (40%) or customers (34%) remain areas for progress. The State of Social Enterprise: Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa 40