About the Social Entrepreneurship Institute

While new in some parts of the world, social entrepreneurship is an old and well-tested business paradigm in Africa. And it worked. It was our ubuntu, sawubona, maat, pragmatic communalism. With the coming of foreign hegemony, however, many of the continent’s most humane and sustainable paradigms were destroyed or suppressed. The mission of the Social Entrepreneurship Institute includes: (1) conducting the research required to reclaim and breathe new life into these business paradigms, (2) teaching this knowledge to business leaders and students, (3) serving as a business incubator for new and existing social entrepreneurial ventures.

The Institute’s Africa Business Incubator plays the essential role of bringing talent, outstanding ideas, capital and opportunity together, and then providing the support and mentoring required to grow a successful business. In the case of a new venture, we often begin with the analysis and refinement of a venture concept. If ABI determines that a real business opportunity exists, we finance the venture and work with our clients through every phase of business development to assure success. We utilize creative combinations of capital sources, including investors, private banks and government supported development banks within African countries. ABI guarantees an attractive return to investors and simultaneously promotes state-of-the-art social entrepreneurial knowledge and skills across the continent, thus fueling the rise of African economy.

The philosophy of social entrepreneurship at the Institute is that the rising tide should lift all boats. So, in addition to financial success, businesses must advance the security and well-being of the people and continent of Africa. And Africa’s well-being is good for all people and all continents. Special attention is given to rural development, protection of nature and natural resources, and to ventures that respect African culture, and advance Africa’s renewal.