Publication database

Social enterprises have shown resilience and agility in response to the pandemic's severe challenges, offering new products, services, and trading models to support their communities. This global survey explores these responses along with the uneven impact on different demographic groups and variations across regions. It also looks at support provision, growth expectations and implications on social enterprises as generators of employment.

Finding The Frontier examines the trajectory and velocity of sub-Saharan Africa’s growth story in the context of Covid-19 and begins to uncover investment opportunities across its regional ecosystems. A fast-growing, young and urbanising population has led to an increase in product penetration rates and closed the inclusion gaps. Tech-enabled companies well positioned to capitalise on these and other trends discussed will enable the transformation of a continent and offer solid returns to savvy investors.

Population growth, rapid urbanisation, and a young population are major trends shaping the future of African agriculture. The sector must take on these issues to safeguard its future ability to produce enough food. Therefore, it is imperative to establish an integrated land management strategy by increasing organic matter, retaining moisture, and increasing the use of inorganic fertilisers. Governments must invest in technical and professional agricultural education. In addition, policies must clearly support family farming and the facilitation of private sector intervention via inclusive business models.

This report provides practical lessons from TechnoServe’s past experiences working with businesses during crises, as well as early insights from the coronavirus pandemic. It outlines TechnoServe’s three-step framework for supporting entrepreneurs through the crisis: (1) Reset the goal to business survival, (2) Adapt the program to the new needs of entrepreneurs during the crisis, (3) Engage the ecosystem to foster cooperation and learning.