AACOSE is an initiative of the Institute for Social Transformation, Tangaza University that started in 2017 to gather major actors of social entrepreneurship to collaborate in accelerating the growth of social entrepreneurship in Africa. AACOSE is co-organized by Tangaza University – Institute for Social Transformation in collaboration with other partner organizations supporting social entrepreneurs.
AACOSE is a Pan-African convening that provides opportunities for actors in social entrepreneurship, the space for mutual learning, co-creation, networking, and creating new narratives that can contribute to social transformation in Africa. AACOSE is a solution-driven convening focusing on social entrepreneurs and innovations creating change in Africa. The value of AACOSE is creating new knowledge, shaping the narrative of social entrepreneurship, co-creating new solutions, connecting actors, and building new alliances towards enabling social entrepreneurship growth.
We live in a world characterized by inequality and exclusion due to the current capitalist economic system. The current system will not transform the world for the better, hence the need for a social economic model that offers an alternative economic model that puts people’s social and economic needs first. The social economy is an inclusive economy where everything has a place, and we believe creating a better society will require a system where everybody has access to opportunities to improve their lives.
Social entrepreneurs strive to pioneer new and transformative social economic models that seek to have an impact in their communities. It has, therefore, become important to leverage on social enterprises to promote social economy in Africa. The social economy holds the hope for social transformation of Africa.
This conference is important in engaging in the discussion towards multisectoral collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations so as to promote the growth of the social economy.
AACOSE 8 will highlight how social entrepreneurship contributes to the continent’s sustainable development and Africa’s diverse social and economic landscape.
social entrepreneurs, funders, academics, and policymakers.