Social enterprises as agents of development policy alignment: Insights from South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and Africa’s Agenda 2063

Abstract

Social enterprises are increasingly recognized as pivotal mechanisms for advancing sustainable development, with an emphasis on South Africa and selected examples from other African contexts. Both South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 articulate comprehensive, ambitious strategies to transform Africa’s socioeconomic landscape, with a strong emphasis on poverty eradication, employment creation, inclusive growth, and long-term human development. Positioned at the intersection of social purpose and entrepreneurial innovation, social enterprises possess institutional and operational attributes that can contribute to these development agendas. This study critically examines how social enterprises align with the core objectives of South Africa’s NDP 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Drawing on a narrative literature review, the analysis indicates that social enterprises can support implementation of both policy frameworks through several pathways: employment and social value creation; expanded access to education and skills development; affordable healthcare provision; economic inclusion and poverty reduction; gender equality and social inclusion; and techno-social innovation. The paper offers a policy alignment mapping rather than an impact evaluation. The study concludes that social enterprises offer adaptable and context-responsive models that resonate with both national and continental priorities, and that their contribution depends on enabling policy and ecosystem conditions.