Importance of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) 

The SSE is defined as a set of economic activities with a social or environmental purpose, aiming to promote collective well-being rather than individual profit. In Africa, the SSE can play a crucial role in meeting the needs of young people and reducing the motivations for irregular migration. 

Why is the SSE a solution? 

Local Job Creation: By developing social and solidarity-based enterprises, the SSE generates decent jobs locally, reducing the need for young people to seek opportunities abroad. 

Community Strengthening: SSE enterprises are often rooted in local communities, fostering cooperation, solidarity, and social inclusion. This contributes to a sense of belonging and stability. 

Use of Local Resources: The SSE encourages the sustainable and equitable use of local resources, whether natural, human, or financial. This creates local value chains and strengthens the local economy. 

Democratic governance: Social and solidarity economy (SSE) enterprises operate on principles of democratic governance, where every member has a vote. This strengthens the participation and engagement of young people in decisions that directly affect them. 

Success stories: In Africa, initiatives such as agricultural cooperatives, microcredit associations, and social enterprises that process local products are already showing promising results. For example, rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) and savings and credit cooperatives offer financial solutions adapted to local realities, enabling young people to launch and develop their own economic activities. 

A promising future with the SSE: To maximize the impact of the SSE, it is crucial that public policies integrate and support these economic models. African governments must create an enabling environment for the SSE through training, tax incentives, and institutional support. The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) offers a viable path to combat irregular migration by creating local economic opportunities, strengthening communities, and sustainably utilizing available resources. By promoting the values ​​of cooperation, democracy, and solidarity, the SSE can transform Africa's challenges into opportunities, giving its youth reasons to believe in and invest in their own future in their homeland. 

“United and committed: Together, let's build a future where every African has the opportunity to thrive in a just and equitable society.” 

By Théodore Ndiaye - Expert in Social and Solidarity Economy and Social Governance, FLEPES/PARIS, coordinator of the Jeun'ESS movement in Senegal.