Social entrepreneurship as solution to youth empowerment and social-economic wellbeing in Africa: pathway to achieving the Africa’s Agenda 2063

Abstract

The fifth aspiration of the Africa Union (AU) envisage Africa as a continent with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics while the six stated that this can only be achieved through the development of people-driven economy, relying on the potential of the African people, especially its youth and women. With the advantage of its youthful population, this can be achieved through small scale entrepreneurship development and innovation using digital technology as tool for socio-economic development. The study examined social entrepreneurship as solution to youth empowerment and socio-economic development in Africa. A mixed method was employed for the study. Snowball sampling technique was used to select young social entrepreneurs. This was complemented with secondary data such as interview extract granted by some notable social entrepreneurs in Africa. Quantitative data obtained was analysed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Findings revealed that innovative young entrepreneurs were able to provide solution to community problems, provide job opportunities for themselves and others which bring social-economic development to the community and enhance wellbeing of the youths. Based on these findings, the study recommended that government and private sectors should provide necessary support and assistance to small scale entrepreneurs in order to expand their businesses. Furthermore, government should also put appropriate policies in place to encourage potentials in young entrepreneurs and improve socio-economic development of the country.