State of Social Enterprise Africa 2025

The study aims to achieve the following objectives: –Generate robust evidence on the size, scope and characteristics of social enterprises across Africa –Examine the contribution of social enterprises to inclusive and sustainable development, with particular focus on job creation, participation of youth and women and inclusive growth –Strengthen the evidence base on social enterprise with robust, comparable data to inform policy, investment and ecosystem development by governments, companies, investors and support networks –Provide actionable recommendations to build stronger social enterprise ecosystems and support mechanisms to deepen their impactThe report increases the understanding of Africa’s social enterprise landscape and its potential to drive sustainable development. It highlights barriers, opportunities to strengthen ecosystems and country-level insights from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. As a practical resource for policy-makers, companies, investors, support networks, academia and social enterprises, it provides evidence and recommendations to guide coordinated efforts. Ultimately, it calls for unified action to harness the transformative potential of social enterprises in unlocking inclusive growth, jobs and development in Africa. Credit: SHOFCO The State of Social Enterprise: Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa 7