Dakar (Senegal) hosted the second edition of the African Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (FORA’ESS 2026) from 7 to 9 July, bringing together around 2,500 representatives from some 30 countries to examine the role of the social and solidarity economy as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development across the continent, under the theme “Social and Solidarity Economy: A Driver of Transition, Inclusion and Convergence in Africa.”
The event brought together policymakers from different parts of the world, social economy organisations, financial institutions, researchers and international organisations to discuss some of the continent’s main challenges, including youth unemployment, poverty, territorial inequalities, the green transition and access to finance.
The Forum highlighted the growing prominence of the social and solidarity economy in African public policies and reinforced Senegal’s position as one of the leading countries in this field. Senegal has established a dedicated legal framework, a national strategy and a ministry responsible for the social and solidarity economy. In addition, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared 2026 the “Year of the Social and Solidarity Economy and Employment,” further strengthening the country’s institutional commitment to this economic model.
Spain’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, took part in the Forum, highlighting the event as a platform for strengthening cooperation between Europe and Africa based on mutual recognition, the exchange of experiences and the building of partnerships among equals.
Díaz also expressed her concern about the situation of the International Labour Organization (ILO), “which is facing significant budgetary difficulties that are affecting its operational capacity and putting at risk the continuity of the Social and Solidarity Economy Unit, the only unit specialised in this field within the United Nations system.”
Sessions, workshops and meetings
Throughout the three-day event, plenary sessions, workshops and specialised meetings were held to strengthen cooperation among cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, social enterprises and public administrations, as well as to develop proposals to improve support policies and financing instruments for the sector.
Following the success of the first edition held in Yaoundé (Cameroon) in 2024, FORA’ESS 2026 reaffirmed its ambition to establish itself as the leading forum for dialogue on the social economy in Africa and to promote a common agenda that positions this model as a strategic pillar for economic development, social cohesion and job creation across the continent.
