The emergence of young African social entrepreneurs who design social change could translate to significant social value design that, in turn, could improve the future of several communities. Nevertheless, the designed value will only benefit the continent if it is substantial and sustainable. The problem is that many social entrepreneurial endeavours are implemented without a long-term future focus or an understanding of how social value is conceptualised. For this reason, tertiary institutions in Africa should consider presenting training or education related to sustainable social value design.
In this paper, author Adelaide Margaret Sheik reports on research done to inform programme design at a university in South Africa with a particular focus on social value design.
The objectives for this research focused on
The paper makes recommendations relevant to programme design for future-fit social entrepreneurs. It has a particular focus on how to incorporate the various dimensions of social value for Africa into designing a training programme or modules that incorporate social value
The SVAI partnered with dIIVe, and at the beginning of July 2021, the diiVe team of students, AffreeTrade, was asked to conduct research in the form of interviews and surveys on SMEs and entrepreneurial networks in southern Africa to better understand the gap in knowledge around the AfCFTA, as well as provide recommendations for education, connecting and sharing information with these businesses for them to better understand and participate in the AfCFTA.
Informed Programme Development for Future-Focused Social Entrepreneurship in Africa was presented at the Design Education Forum of Southern Africa’s 2019 conference. Shared Value Africa Initiative was involved in facilitating the questions posed to the entrepreneurs from across Africa and reviewing the research feedback.