Social Enterprises: Unlocking Zambia’s potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Zambia has faced numerous developmental challenges that have adversely affected progress towards achieving the SDGs. Having to deal with high levels of poverty, unemployment, limited access to social services has severely constrained the government’s ability to advance its development agenda. As government cannot address the challenges alone, this paper explores the potential that social enterprises have in complementing Government efforts towards achieving the SDGs. Using a qualitative approach the study reviewed literature to establish the extent of contribution to the SDGS by Zambian social enterprises and identified challenges encountered in doing so. The findings revealed that social enterprises were contributing to the SDGs in some cases unintentionally. The findings highlighted the operational problems faced by social enterprises including lack of legal recognition, limited financing and access to business development services. The study suggests recommendations to address the challenges that constrain social enterprises from supporting Governments’ efforts towards achieving the SDGs. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59857/PMGH5576