A new analysis of Africa’s social enterprise landscape shows that young people are taking a leading role in shaping mission-driven businesses across the continent.
According to The State of Social Enterprise: Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa Insight Report (November 2025), the largest share of social enterprise leaders falls within the 24 to 34 age bracket, accounting for 36 per cent of all founders and executives.
This is followed closely by those aged 18 to 24, who represent 31 per cent, signalling a strong youth-driven wave of innovation focused on solving societal challenges.
Leaders aged 35 to 44 make up 20 per cent, while only 8 per cent of social enterprise heads are over 55. The smallest share, 6 per cent, comes from entrepreneurs under 18, reflecting early engagement but limited representation at leadership level.
The report highlights that, unlike traditional businesses driven primarily by profit, social enterprises reinvest revenue to address pressing problems such as poverty, education gaps, healthcare access and other social needs.
This expanding sector is increasingly powered by young professionals combining business skills with community-focused solutions.
