Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa
This landmark report maps the scale, structure and impact of Africa’s social enterprises — revealing 2.18 million enterprises generating $96 billion in annual revenue and creating 12 million jobs. With more than half led by women and one in three led by youth, the sector is driving a new model of growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.
The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges
Today’s most pressing challenges – rising inequality, environmental crises and social fragmentation – are too complex for any single organisation to solve alone. Collective social innovation offers a new way forward, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create systemic change.
Redefining Value: From Outcome-Based Funding to Tradeable Impact
Traditional funding models are falling short in addressing today’s social and environmental challenges. This new white paper introduces a bold alternative: tradeable impact. By transforming verified social outcomes into economic value, tradeable impact creates new financial incentives for social enterprises, businesses, investors and governments.
A global community
The world is ready to transition towards a stakeholder economy, a system designed to create equitable benefits for people and the planet. However, many companies and governments are struggling with this transformation. We provide a platform to recognize, promote, and advance proven social innovation solutions and accelerate the world’s transition to a more inclusive and sustainable economy. We are driven by their vision of the world that puts people and planet first.
Social entrepreneurs and innovators are driving social and environmental progress
Since its inception in 1998, the Schwab Foundation has amplified entrepreneurs and innovators reimagining social and economic systems to be more inclusive of people and more sustainable for the planet. Their models put purpose before profit and have proven to be effective and economically viable where market or development approaches have failed.
Social Entrepreneurs
Employ innovative, market-based approaches to directly address social issues.
Corporate Social Innovators
Leaders within multinational or regional companies who drive the development of new products, services, initiatives, or business models that address societal and environmental challenges.
Public Social Innovators
Leaders in the public sector in government or in international organisations who harness the power of social innovation to create public good through policy, regulation, or public initiatives.
Collective Social Innovators
Bringing together organisations to solve complex problems that cannot be tackled by individual actors.
Social Innovation Thought Leaders
Recognised experts and champions who are shaping and contributing to the evolution of the field of social innovation.
Schwab Foundation
Awards 2026
21 leaders from 17 organizations join our community of 510 social entrepreneurs and innovators that have collectively improved the lives of over 950 million people across 190 countries. From strengthening emergency medical services in Ethiopia, to establishing circular textile economies in Lebanon and tackling the shortage of STEM teachers in North America, this year’s awardees were selected for their transformative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social challenges. Read the press release.