Africa’s social enterprises growing

AS AFRICA tunes into the burgeoning movement of business for good, young people across the continent are finding innovative solutions to problems – from illiteracy to pollution.

There are no figures of how many social enterprises have been started across the continent, but the sector is growing with the emergence of tech hubs and accelerators even in the world’s least-developed countries, such as Chad.

Here are six African social enterprises that had people talking in 2019:

mPharma

Ghana-based social enterprise mPharma manages prescription inventory for pharmacies to make medicines more affordable for Africans. Started five years ago, the business expanded in 2019 with the purchase of Kenya’s second-biggest pharmacy chain and the launch of new initiatives including a financing programme for breast cancer treatment in Nigeria.

mPharma won $1.5 million (R21m) this year from Ebay billionaire Jeff Skoll and plans to eventually supply affordable drugs to public hospitals as well as pharmacies.

Easy Solar

Easy Solar provides pay-as-you-go solar-powered lighting and charging systems to people with no electricity access in Sierra Leone. In 2019, the three-year-old company reached 15 of 16 districts in Sierra Leone and expanded to neighbouring Liberia.

Founder Nthabiseng Mosia made the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list this year.

Toolboksi

Started in Tanzania, Toolboksi is an online platform that aims to reduce unemployment in the informal sector by connecting people seeking carpentry, plumbing or construction work with local artisans and handymen skilled in those areas.

The two-year-old company has facilitated over 3 000 transactions so far. Toolboksi won Best Social Impact Start-up for its growth this year at the Southern Africa Start-up Awards.

SiyaBuddy

SiyaBuddy is a recycling and waste management company in South Africa that aims to create jobs while helping the environment.

It gained recognition and funding this year when it won the World Export Development Forum young entrepreneurs contest in Ethiopia.

Farmcrowdy

Farmcrowdy is a digital lending platform in Nigeria that connects farmers with small investors who can sponsor them during a season and collect a small return when they harvest.

With more than 25000 small-scale farmers involved, Farmcrowdy has been growing quickly since it launched three years ago. It gained momentum in 2019, winning Africa’s Innovative Business of the Year by the British Awards for African Development.

Eco-Warriors

Launched in Mauritius in 2019, Eco-Warriors is a mobile game application that teaches children about climate change and conservation.

Eco-Warriors is a few months old and has won several prizes and the support of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It aims to teach sustainability throughout the Indian Ocean region, including in Reunion Island and Madagascar.

OUT REGULAR COLUMNISTS WILL BE BACK IN THE NEW YEAR