Social entrepreneurs and young innovators across Africa can apply for the Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit (PSES) 2026 Pitch Competition, which will give selected ventures an opportunity to pitch their solutions to investors, funders and industry experts.
The competition will be held as part of Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit (PSES) 2026, taking place in Kampala, Uganda, on November 19–20, 2026. The summit is organised by the Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE) and brings together social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, development partners and other actors working to strengthen Africa’s social enterprise ecosystem.
The pitch competition is looking for revenue-generating or revenue-ready social enterprises developing solutions to major social, economic and environmental challenges in Africa.
What Participants Can Gain
Selected finalists will have the opportunity to:
- Pitch their social enterprise directly to investors and judges.
- Gain exposure to potential funders, partners and business networks.
- Access mentorship and connections that can support venture growth.
- Showcase their solutions on a continental platform.
- Compete for cash prizes.
- Youth Category: For participants aged 22–35, with a US$4,000 grand prize.
- Young Innovators Category: For participants aged 15–21, with a US$2,000 grand prize.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is intended for social enterprises and innovators with solutions addressing Africa’s social and economic challenges.
The summit’s target audience includes social entrepreneurs, impact-driven startups and young innovators working in areas such as:
- Livelihoods and economic inclusion
- Climate and sustainability
- Health
- Education
- Agriculture
- Circular economy
- Technology and innovation
Applicants should have a solution that is either revenue-generating or revenue-ready and demonstrate its potential to create meaningful impact.