African Forum on Social & Solidarity Economy: SMEs ministry announces second edition begins July 7 in Dakar.

The announcement was made in a press release signed by Minister Achille Bassilekin III. The statement confirmed that the continental event will be held under the high patronage of Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye.

According to the document, the forum will bring together researchers, parliamentarians, decentralised local authorities, local entrepreneurs, social economy networks and organisations from across Africa to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the social and solidarity economy sector.

The ministry noted that the 2026 edition follows the inaugural forum held in Yaounde in 2024, which brought together participants from across the continent to discuss African-led models for developing social and solidarity economy systems. 

The first edition focused on strengthening cooperation among member states and promoting strategies to support local enterprise development, cooperative structures and inclusive economic initiatives.

The ministry said the Dakar meeting will serve as a platform for reflection on ways to promote African models of social and solidarity economy development. 

Discussions are expected to focus on policy frameworks, operational strategies and mechanisms to strengthen the sector’s contribution to employment creation and sustainable local development.

The programme for FORA’ESS 2026 will include thematic plenary sessions, workshop discussions, self-managed sessions, exhibitions, site visits and experience-sharing meetings. 

Organisers have also scheduled dedicated activities from 6 July highlighting the role of women, young people and members of the African diaspora in advancing social and solidarity economy initiatives.

Officials said these sessions are intended to encourage exchanges between stakeholders involved in local development projects, cooperative ventures and social entrepreneurship activities.

According to the ministry, the social and solidarity economy is increasingly being integrated into African public policy discussions as governments seek to expand support for micro-enterprises, community-based businesses and artisan production networks. 

The ministry has called on national stakeholders to mobilise and register for the forum through the official FORA’ESS platform. The ministry urged broad participation from actors involved in enterprise development and social economy initiatives.

The ministry explained that FORA’ESS was established as a continental platform for dialogue and collaboration aimed at strengthening social and solidarity economy structures across Africa. 

The Dakar edition is expected to continue discussions initiated during the 2024 forum and provide participating countries with an opportunity to exchange experiences and present initiatives linked to local economic inclusion and social enterprise development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3801 of Friday May 29, 2026