AJAN Champions Faith-Driven Innovation at the 8th Annual Africa Conference on Social Entrepreneurship (AACOSE)
This year’s conference convened a diverse mix of stakeholders grassroots innovators, policymakers, funders, and academics to explore how social entrepreneurship can drive inclusive growth and sustainability across Africa.
As a key partner, AJAN seized the opportunity to spotlight 43 Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) developed by youth through its initiatives. These MVPs, which blend innovation with enterprise, reflect AJAN’s mission to promote integral human development, particularly among young people and vulnerable communities. Select innovations were exhibited at the AJAN booth and featured during a dedicated presentation.
Through these engagements, AJAN exchanged best practices and galvanized a movement for positive change grounded in Jesuit values. AJAN reaffirmed its commitment to faith-based social entrepreneurship during a breakout session titled “Faith, Church, and Social Economy.” Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ, AJAN Director, participated as a panelist and emphasized the crucial role of ethical and moral frameworks, rooted in faith, in steering social enterprises toward equity and sustainability.
Building on its impactful participation in AACOSE 7, AJAN showcased two flagship initiatives:
AHAPPY (AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Programme for the Youth): Focuses on equipping youth with values-based education for responsible living and HIV prevention.
JYSEA (Jesuit Youth-Led Social Entrepreneurship Action): Empowers youth with entrepreneurial and moral development skills to promote holistic growth. Representing these programs were three youth participants, two from Saint Joseph Development Programmes, Kangemi, Kenya, and one from Centre Arrupe Madagascar who embodied the vision and energy of Jesuit youth-led innovation.
A standout moment was the presentation by Mr. Landry Rafamantanantsoa, a JYSEA beneficiary and Youth Representative from SARABIO Group, Centre Arrupe Madagascar. He shared how SARABIO is advancing the circular economy through social innovation transforming waste into brooms, briquettes, organic fertilizer, and eco-pavements.
SARABIO’s efforts were formally recognized as they emerged winners of the JYSEA pitching competition, which featured youth-led innovations from 10 countries. Their initiative exemplifies how environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand.
AJAN’s exhibition booth served as a lively hub of interaction, featuring publications, multimedia presentations, and success stories from across its network. It attracted a steady flow of visitors, including Dr. Cecilia Osyanju Namuyemba, Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Tangaza University. Dr. Namuyemba explored the work of AJAN’s young innovators, guided by Ms. Nelly of Saint Joseph Development Programmes and Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ.
In parallel, AJAN held discussions with multiple stakeholders to strategize on multisectoral collaboration—focusing on empowering youth as a means to achieve the “Three Zeros”: Zero Unemployment, Zero Poverty, and Zero Net Carbon Emission.
AJAN’s active participation in AACOSE 8 reaffirmed its growing role as a catalyst for faith-driven social innovation in Africa. By merging spiritual values with practical entrepreneurial action, AJAN continues to forge pathways for a more sustainable, inclusive, and hopeful future for Africa.
About AACOSE
It is a continental forum that brings together a diverse range of stakeholders—including social entrepreneurs, grassroots innovators, policymakers, funders, academics, faith-based organizations, and development practitioners—to explore and promote social entrepreneurship as a tool for inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
Key Objectives of AACOSE:
1. Showcase innovations that address pressing social and economic challenges.
2. Foster collaboration across sectors and regions.
3. Inspire and empower youth to lead change through social enterprise.
5. Integrate ethical, faith-based, and value-driven approaches into entrepreneurship.
6. Accelerate solutions toward major development goals, including poverty reduction, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
AACOSE is hosted annually by Tangaza University College in Nairobi, Kenya, often in partnership with institutions and networks committed to social transformation.
Over the years, AACOSE has evolved into a pan-African platform that highlights African-led solutions to African challenges, placing a strong emphasis on youth empowerment, community engagement, and values-based leadership.
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