Mission
To give African social entrepreneurs the knowledge, networks, and capital pathways they need to scale impact — starting with a replicable Cameroon pilot.
About
ASEN exists so social entrepreneurs stop working alone.
The African Social Entrepreneurial Network is Royal Green World’s second flagship programme — a pan-African platform connecting entrepreneurs with investors, public institutions, and technical partners. The 2026–2028 pilot begins in Cameroon.
The story
Social entrepreneurs across the continent are already creating jobs and services. Too often they do that work alone, without a shared route to investors, public institutions, or peers in other countries.
ASEN is the response: a summit held on 9–10 October 2026 at Krystal Palace Hotel in Douala, a year-round membership, and a Cameroon pilot for 2026–2028, designed so the model can be repeated.
Why ASEN exists
Fragmented effort, gathered on purpose.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces deep structural pressure: more than 40% of people live below the poverty line, 15 million new jobs are needed each year by 2030, and climate shocks have multiplied since 1970. Social entrepreneurs are already responding — but they work in isolation. ASEN turns that fragmentation into collective power.
Vision
An Africa where locally led enterprises are a recognised engine of jobs, dignity, and sustainable development.
How the network works
Five pillars
Ecosystem and networking
A pan-African platform connecting entrepreneurs with investors, governments, and support structures.
Investment readiness
Pathways to impact funds, development banks, incubators, and structuring support.
Capacity and incubation
Workshops, peer exchange, and the annual summit — skills that travel with members.
Advocacy and policy
Dialogue and research that help governments and donors build enabling environments.
Visibility and markets
Legitimacy with decision-makers, partners, and the markets members serve.
Where the work sits
Four axes of action
Annual summit
The flagship gathering — 300 or more participants exchanging practice and signing new collaborations.
Digital platform
Thematic groups by sector, country, and Sustainable Development Goal, active all year.
Resource access
Direct introductions to funds, mentors, and incubation — targeting more than US$1 million mobilised by year two.
Advocacy
Studies and formal dialogue in three or more countries to strengthen the ecosystem.
2026–2028
Roadmap
01
Phase 1
Launch and structuring
3 months
Network setup, platform, partners, first members, and country focal points.
02
Phase 2
Operational deployment
12 months
Inaugural summit, support programmes, thematic groups, and the first investor connections.
03
Phase 3
Consolidation and scale
9 months
Expansion, advocacy, impact evaluation, and a model ready for continental rollout.
The 2026 summit has taken place.
It was held on 9 and 10 October at Krystal Palace Hotel Douala. Membership in the network continues.