Africa’s social enterprise sector is about to receive a massive $1 million financial injection as heavyweights, investors, and policymakers converge on Hotel Africana for the Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit (PSES 2026) on November 23–24, 2026 in Kampala.
The Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE), in partnership with Ashoka East Africa, will launch a blockbuster US$1 million Pan-African Social Enterprise Fund at the upcoming Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit (PSES 2026 aimed at tackling unemployment, poverty, and climate change by unlocking massive commercial capital for purpose-driven businesses.
This massive summit directly backs Uganda’s aggressive Ten-Fold Growth Strategy to skyrocket the economy to US$500 billion by 2040. To safeguard these investments, FUSE is aggressively lobbying the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to establish Uganda’s first-ever dedicated national policy framework for social enterprises.
Timothy Mugerwa, president and chief executive of FUSE, said the proposed Pan-African Social Enterprise Fund would help mobilize capital for businesses combining commercial activities with social and environmental objectives.
“The launch of a US$1 million Pan-African Social Enterprise Fund shows that Africa is ready to invest in its own social entrepreneurs. PSES 2026 is where capital, policy and enterprise will meet,” Mugerwa said.
The summit comes as social enterprises seek to overcome constraints in financing, market access and institutional support. These businesses operate in sectors including energy, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, using commercial models to address challenges such as unemployment, poverty and environmental degradation.
In Uganda, examples include Village Energy, Ecobricks in Masaka, Mob-Clinic, Ewaffe Cultural Village and Endiro Coffee.
Mugerwa said FUSE with membership of 2500 will engage the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to develop a policy framework for the sector adding that absence of a dedicated national policy framework has remained a challenge in securing financing, partnerships and access to markets.
A formal framework could help clarify how such businesses are recognized and supported, while giving investors a clearer basis for assessing enterprises that pursue both commercial returns and measurable social impact. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on the final policy provisions and their implementation.
During the summit Organizers will connect more than 500 African social enterprises with potential investors and business partners through speaker sessions, exhibitions, networking opportunities and a Social Enterprise Marketplace, where businesses will display and sell products to delegates and the public.
Mugerwa said the cross-border focus aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to deepen trade among African countries.
He said social enterprises can contribute to inclusive economic growth by creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women, while developing commercially sustainable responses to social and environmental problems.
The summit will conclude with the Social Enterprise Awards Gala Dinner at Hotel Africana on November 24. The third edition of the awards, following events in 2024 and 2025, will recognise Ugandan social innovators across 10 categories.
Beyond the summit, FUSE is developing a digital social value marketplace to help enterprises promote and sell their products. Its commercial impact will depend on participation by businesses, customer uptake and the platform’s operating model.
