Social entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly popular within Africa, largely due to their unique approach to addressing societal issues using sustainable business models.

From Malaria and Ebola to poverty and inequality, Africa’s has a long list of socio-economic challenges hampering growth and development. But this new breed of entrepreneurs have given themselves a mandate to rid the continent of these problems.

Social entrepreneurs play a fundamental role in solving the issues plaguing societies. What makes this group of individuals unique is their ability to draw upon business techniques to find solutions to social problems. “Social entrepreneurs are an integral community of the World Economic Forum and an increasingly sought-after one,” said Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, the sister organization of the World Economic Forum.

Earlier this week, four of these entrepreneurs were identified and bestowed honorary awards  at the World Economic Forum on Africa for their remarkable work.

John Sargent and Ernest Darkoh, BroadReach Healthcare, South Africa

The creative health system, BroadReach, works towards improving access to healthcare for rural populations all over world. In collaboration with some of Africa’s most successful and innovative healthcare programmes; one of which provided HIV treatment support for over 500,000 patients, in addition to HIV care support for over one million patients.

Christie Peacock, Sidai Africa, Kenya

With a mission to transform pastoralism, Sidai slowly expanded into a far-reaching network of livestock service centres. It has become a medium through which farmers can access veterinary and animal husbandry services. Sidai has helped to boost the value of livestock as assets, thereby increasing the income levels of farmers.

Katherine Lucey, Solar Sister, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria

Solar Sister is a solar energy technology company founded with a view to mainly focus on around women and a direct sales network. The company has created over 1,000 Solar Sister Entrepreneurs, equipping over 300,000 people in Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria. It is a continuous process where Over 90 percent of the income generated by a Solar Sister Entrepreneur is reinvested into improving the lives of her family.

Sharanjeet Shan, Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences, South Africa

The Maths Centre is a non-profit organisation aimed at improving education in Africa. The main objectives of this cause is to equip teachers, learners and parents with innovative materials to prepare to equip and develop their proficiency in math, science and technology curriculums in South Africa.  By 2014, the centre had served over 500 schools, with 175,000 math and physical science students, through a network of over 4,000 educators.

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