17 July 2025 • NEWS
In a constrained funding context for international solidarity, Africa’s social and solidarity economy is a sustainable path for inclusive development on the continent.
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville under the auspices of the United Nations, brought together over 150 countries to rethink global financial mechanisms. As only 16% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track to be achieved by 2030 and public development aid continues to decrease, the social and solidarity economy (SSE) is emerging as an ecosystem to support.
The goal is not to position SSE as a substitute for public aid, the global amount of which is expected to fall by 30% in 2025. Public aid remains essential, with proven impacts on health, education, and climate resilience. However, it is crucial to recognize SSE’s strategic role in addressing unmet social and environmental needs and creating jobs, by providing a significant “leverage effect” for increasingly scarce public funds.
Africa at the forefront of structuring a social and solidarity economy tailored to its territories
The African continent is one of the richest in SSE initiatives, rooted in traditional forms of solidarity—such as informal mutual aid groups, agricultural cooperatives, etc.—but also in contemporary innovations driven by a committed youth.
On the institutional front, African governments, both at national and continental levels, are increasingly engaging in recognizing SSE as a strategic pillar of the African economy. Five countries in Africa already have a regulatory framework for SSE. The first edition of the African SSE Forum, held in spring 2024 in Yaoundé, brought together stakeholders and local and national governments from over 30 African countries with more than 1,000 participants. The scientific conference on SSE held in Abidjan in November 2024 resulted in a declaration on the process of setting up an African scientific observatory for SSE. Additionally, in February 2025, the African Union adopted a decade-long continental strategy for SSE.
In Benin, a national framework co-constructed with civil society is emerging
Benin serves as an example to follow. This year, SSE actors initiated a consultative process aimed at developing a framework law for SSE. Beyond institutional recognition of SSE, this initiative seeks to legally secure stakeholders, facilitate access to financing by reassuring investors, and structure public support policies. It also safeguards the integrity of the SSE sector by clearly defining its values and criteria, preventing potential deviations.
A draft framework law is currently being prepared, the result of a dialogue between the Economic and Social Council, the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local governments, SENS Benin SCOOPs, the ESS Benin Group, and grassroots actors. It has benefited from the leverage effect of support from Groupe SOS Consulting and funding from the ICR2 Facility, co-financed by the European Union, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the British Council.
All are convinced that SSE in Benin is crucial for addressing national challenges: youth and women’s unemployment, inequality, marginalization, as well as the need for social services, ecological transition, and revitalizing rural areas.
“This is a true societal project we are carrying today. SSE is not a slogan, it is a daily reality. It is an act of will and resilience in the face of growing inequalities and geopolitical tensions. SSE is our space of stability, our engine for local development.” Conrad Gbaguidi, President of the Economic and Social Council of Benin
Through its initiatives and networks, Africa is building its own path to institutionalize SSE in line with its local realities. In light of these dynamics, it is now up to donors and partner governments to support this movement and provide the means to fulfill its ambition.
Signatories
Mr. Rachid ABIDI, Director of Lab’ESS Tunisia
Mr. Raymond ADJAKPA ABILE, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin
Ms. Nora Ait Abdellah, Director of SFB Morocco
Ms. Pauline EFFA, Co-Founder and Coordinator of the African SSE Forum (FORAESS)
Ms. Kèmi FAKAMBI, CEO of SENS Benin SCOOPs
Mr. Conrad GBAGUIDI, President of the Economic and Social Council of Benin
Mr. Jules GOUHAN, President of the Ivorian SSE Network (RIESS)
Ms. Marie Christina KOLO, Regional Director Indian Ocean, PULSE & PPI
Mr. Alexandre LOURIE, International Director of Groupe SOS
Ms. Laetitia MAPAGA, President of RESS-GA (Social and Solidarity Economy Network of Gabon)
Mr. Martin TOHOU, Vice-President of GBESS (Beninese Group of Social and Solidarity Economy)
Ms. Xuan-Dai VERET, General Director of Groupe SOS Consulting
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