The Pan African Social Enterprise Summit will take place on November 23-24, 2026, in Kampala, where organisers will launch a $1 million fund (approximately Shs 4.14 billion) to support businesses addressing social and environmental challenges across Africa. The Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE) and Ashoka East Africa are organising the event to connect entrepreneurs with investors, policymakers and development partners.
Timothy Mugerwa, FUSE president and chief executive officer, said the fund launch demonstrated Africa's commitment to investing in its own entrepreneurs. He described the summit as a platform where capital, policy and enterprise could come together to advance social entrepreneurship on the continent. However, the organisers have not yet announced how the fund will be distributed, what eligibility requirements apply or when applications will open.
For Uganda's business environment, the summit aligns with the country's Fourth National Development Plan covering 2025/26-2029/30 and its Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, which aims to expand the economy from roughly $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040. Social enterprises combine commercial activities with addressing social or environmental problems, and their growth typically depends on access to financing and reliable markets.
Beyond the fund, the summit will include a marketplace where businesses can sell products, networking sessions and a pitch competition for young innovators aged 15-35, offering prize money of $4,000 and $2,000. FUSE will also hold the Social Enterprise Awards Gala Dinner on November 24, recognising social innovators in Uganda across 10 categories, marking the third edition of the awards.