30 African Social Enterprises

From Kerosene-Replacing Lamps to Female-Owned Design Studios

Many of the images, symbols and narratives that circulate in and around Africa (well, mostly around) don't pay respect to the positivity and humanity that belie the media construction of the continent. For one, Africa is so frequently dismissed as a country in prosaic conversations and political debates (Michele Bachmann, I'm talking to you). For the last time: Africa is not a country!

This top list of African social enterprises explores a different story -- a story not simply rooted in aid and dependence, but rather, a look at how community and fair trade can help to sustain livelihoods in Africa.

These African social enterprises conduct business in Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and beyond, but they all have one thing in common: the good of Africa. From medicinal transport pods to fair trade coffee and cow-print cushions, these African social enterprises shed light on an emerging sector -- in the Western mainstream at least -- that relies on pre-existing values of community.

SCORE
5.9 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: Africa
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 83%
Activity 85%
Freshness 8%
Developing World Entrepreneur Webisodes
CATEGORY
Social Good
Developing World Entrepreneur Webisodes
Medicinal Transport Pods
CATEGORY
Social Good
Medicinal Transport Pods
African Artist Assist Sites
CATEGORY
Social Good
African Artist Assist Sites
Smallholder Business Partners
CATEGORY
Social Good
Smallholder Business Partners
H2O-Supporting Coffee Companies
CATEGORY
Social Good
H2O-Supporting Coffee Companies
Poverty Alleviation Footwear
CATEGORY
Social Good
Poverty Alleviation Footwear
African-Made Soccer Balls
CATEGORY
Social Good
African-Made Soccer Balls
African Abuse Apps
CATEGORY
Social Good
African Abuse Apps
African-Sourced Sneakers
CATEGORY
Social Good
African-Sourced Sneakers
Fair Trade African Soda
CATEGORY
Social Good
Fair Trade African Soda
Benevolent Beaded Bangles
CATEGORY
Social Good
Benevolent Beaded Bangles
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
CATEGORY
Social Good
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
Fair Trade Shea Butter
CATEGORY
Social Good
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Female-Owned Design Studios
CATEGORY
Social Good
Female-Owned Design Studios
Kenyan Art Clinics
CATEGORY
Social Good
Kenyan Art Clinics
Kerosene-Replacing Lamps
CATEGORY
Social Good
Kerosene-Replacing Lamps
Cow-Print Cushions
CATEGORY
Social Good
Cow-Print Cushions
Worn Leather Loafers
CATEGORY
Social Good
Worn Leather Loafers
Kenyan Running Apparel
CATEGORY
Social Good
Kenyan Running Apparel
Humanitarian Fashion Lines
CATEGORY
Social Good
Humanitarian Fashion Lines
Jewelry-Funded Water Purifiers
CATEGORY
Social Good
Jewelry-Funded Water Purifiers
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
CATEGORY
Social Good
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Stripped-Down SUVs
CATEGORY
Social Good
Stripped-Down SUVs
Fashionable Fair Trade Apparel (UPDATE)
CATEGORY
Social Good
Fashionable Fair Trade Apparel (UPDATE)
Economically Sustainable Footwear
CATEGORY
Social Good
Economically Sustainable Footwear
Ethical Tribal Print Fashion
CATEGORY
Social Good
Ethical Tribal Print Fashion
Upcycled Fair Trade Fashion
CATEGORY
Social Good
Upcycled Fair Trade Fashion
Explosive Ethical Jewelry
CATEGORY
Social Good
Explosive Ethical Jewelry
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
CATEGORY
Social Good
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
Disabled Artisan Jewelry Collections
CATEGORY
Social Good
Disabled Artisan Jewelry Collections