The recent adoption of the 10-year Economic Plan by the African Union (AU) marks a milestone in the transformation of the continent, where the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is at the centre. This plan, which runs from 2023 to 2032, aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development, addressing key challenges such as the creation of decent jobs, the fight against poverty and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the SSE is presented as an indispensable tool to promote fairer economic models, centred on solidarity and respect for human rights.
The 10-year strategic plan on the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) of the African Union was adopted in August 2024. This plan seeks to strengthen the role of the SSE in Africa by promoting a people-centred economic model, oriented towards social justice and decent work, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Its main objective is to increase the visibility and recognition of the SSE on the continent, contributing to sustainable development, human rights and poverty reduction. As a prelude to the adoption of this ten-year plan, the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE-5) was held under the theme: ‘Social Agenda 2063: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy Ecosystems (SSE)’.
The plan is supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which has been instrumental in its development and implementation. It is also inspired by recent global milestones such as the 2023 UN General Assembly Resolution on the SSE and the European Commission’s 2021 Social Economy Action Plan. Africa is the second regional bloc, after Europe, to adopt a SSE strategic plan of this scale.
The world’s youngest continent, with a median age of around 19 years, faces the challenge of harnessing its rapid population growth. By 2050, more than half of Africa’s population is expected to be under the age of 25, placing an urgent demand on jobs and essential services such as education, health and social protection. This is where the SSE comes into play, offering economic alternatives that not only generate employment, but also strengthen community services and improve the quality of life in the most vulnerable areas.
In this effort, the African Network for Social and Solidarity Economy (RAESS) plays a crucial role. RAESS has been a key platform for connecting SSE actors across the continent, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources among its members, and actively participating in policy formulation at the continental level. Its involvement in the AU plan underlines its leadership in strengthening an alternative and equitable economic model, which puts people and the environment at the centre.
The importance of this strategy transcends Africa’s borders. By committing to the SSE, the continent seeks not only to improve the living conditions of its growing young population, but also to serve as a global inspiration for systemic change towards more inclusive, caring, green and sustainable economies.
