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Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s social enterprise sector will seek to attract investment, expand market access and create jobs at the Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit scheduled for November 23–24 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where organisers plan to launch a proposed US$1 million fund to support businesses addressing social and environmental challenges.
The summit, organised by the Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE) in partnership with Ashoka East Africa, is expected to bring together about 500 delegates, including entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
Timothy Mugerwa, president and chief executive of FUSE, said the proposed Pan-African Social Enterprise Fund would help mobilise 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.
However, organisers have not yet detailed the fund’s sources of capital, investment criteria, management structure or disbursement arrangements. A working committee is expected to guide discussions on how it will be financed and operationalised.
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.
FUSE, which says it has about 2,500 members countrywide, is also engaging the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to develop a policy framework for the sector.
Mugerwa said the absence of a dedicated national policy framework remained a challenge for social enterprises, particularly in securing financing, partnerships and access to markets.
A formal framework could help clarify how such businesses are recognised 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.
The summit is expected to attract participants from 15 countries outside Uganda, with two impact investors from the United States also confirmed, according to Mugerwa.
Organisers plan to 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.
For Ugandan enterprises, the focus will be on converting these connections into investment agreements, supply contracts and opportunities to enter regional and international markets.
Mugerwa said FUSE wanted local businesses to sell their products and services to counterparts in Europe and other markets.
The cross-border focus aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to deepen trade among African countries. However, businesses will need competitive products, adequate financing, reliable distribution channels and compliance with market requirements to benefit from expanded trade opportunities.
The summit also aligns with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan, covering the 2025/26 to 2029/30 financial years, and the government’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, which aims to grow the economy from about US$50 billion to US$500 billion by 2040.
Organisers say 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 programme will include a pitching competition for young innovators aged 15 to 35, with prizes of US$4,000 and US$2,000. The competition targets solutions that are already generating revenue or are ready for commercialisation. Organisers said about 200 applications had been received by October 13.
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.
Delegate participation costs US$150, while exhibition fees vary according to the selected package.
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.
