Social Innovation In Africa

Encouraged by the emergence and early impact of social innovators on the African Continent, but frustrated by the slow pace of large scale change, this book is focused on filling the knowledge gap for those tackling Africa’s serious social problems.

It lays out the required building blocks for achieving scale at impact. By creating clear mission, vision, and values statements and piloting and rolling out business models that are demand-driven, simple, and low-cost, with compelling measurement and evaluation tools that leverage technology. It also explores the steps for attracting and retaining talent and financing and forming strategic partnerships with the private, public and non-profit sectors to foster scaling. Practical case studies provide inspiration for those who seek to become innovators or to be employed by them.

Finally, it outlines the crucial steps for key stakeholders to take in order to support the emergence of more social innovators on the African continent, create an enabling environment for the scaling of high-impact initiatives and advance collective efforts to build stronger communities for current and future generations.

This is a practical and inspirational guide for all entrepreneurs and individuals that seek to combine business and social goals and for those in the public, private and non-profit sectors that aim to foster and support these projects.

Table of Contents

1. Vision for Scale

2. Sustainable Business Models that Scale

3. Talent for Scaling

4. Financing Scaling

5. Partnerships for Scaling

6. Supporting Scaling: The Roles of Key Stakeholders

7. Looking to the Future for Social Innovators

Appendices

Funding Sources for Social Innovators

Prizes and Awards

Leadership/Networks

Fellowships

Social Entrepreneurship Training and Incubation Programs

Challenge Funds