Social Innovation Africa (SIA)

Social Innovation Africa is a Catalyst Development Organization whose mission is to serve Africans through the provision of programs that speaks to building the spirit of social entrepreneurship underpinned by workstreams that promote good governance in a peaceful, secure Africa.

SIA is a social and cultural think tank with a transformational agenda to accelerate Africa’s development and aims to be a revivalist of African Indigenous Knowledge seeking to combat sexual and gender-based violence through social feminism, hosting inter party, intergenerational dialogue spaces, providing technical expertise to the Governance and conflict mitigation sector. This work brings women and youth to the centre of such critical spaces and conversations. SIA’s work involves conducting research, capacity building and technical support initiatives that promote the role of Women and marginalised groups in Governance, Peace and Security.

 

The creation of a symbiotic relationship between social enterprise promotion and a peace and security agenda speaks to SIA’s belief that ‘if Africa creates an enabling environment for social enterprise we shall experience rapid growth’ and for this to be possible, it is imperative to first create the bedrock of good governance, peace and security.

 

Throughout 2022-2023 SIA has seen a rapid growth in partnerships, institutions that saw and embraced the possibilities SIA put forth. These include: Intergovernmental Authority on Development(IGAD), Africa Inter-Party Dialogue  Network (AIPDN), National Democratic Institute (NDI). The University of Nairobi’s Peace and Sustainable Development Institute housing in the Wangaari Institute premises houses part of SIA’s East and Southern Africa office. (IPPIA) the International Public Policy and International Affairs institute at USIU – the United States International University-Africa is also home to SIA’s programs. SIA is also in partnership with the Entrepreneurial Forum for Peace and Development (EFPD) Ethiopia and the Civic Forum for Human Development Trust in Zimbabwe. Partnership with Tribe Africa resulted in the Africa Job Creation & Trade Summit in Abuja. Total Attendance was 376 which involved a number of Senators, Policy Makers and Nigeria’s Minister for Labour among others. These partnerships bring policy and practice together for more impactful outcomes. SIA with partners organised, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign affairs Uganda, a strategic expert consultative forum in December 2023 of East Africa & the Horn of Africa to deliberate and prepare for the Non-Aligned Movement conference as Uganda takes up the Presidency for the next 3 years. Given the global context and current events NAM (which is the largest organization outside of the UN can contribute significantly to peaceful solutions to conflict and accelerated economic development. https://siafrica.online

 

A number of activities this year have set a great precedence to the work that we as SIA will continue in 2024 and beyond. Some of these include Leadership, Negotiation, and Mediation and BioEthics Training.

SIA identified a gap which was the need for actors outside of government to form a critical mass of organizations to work together to enhance dialogue for the promotion of peaceful resolutions to conflict which adversely affects the ability of Africans to live in stable countries in which employment, business, can thrive. SIA’s niche is in its capabilities to build strong networks of actors from different sectors that it connects together for an impactful ecosystem addressing critical issues of the region. By fostering partnerships, putting women, youth and the excluded at the core, empowering communities, and advancing dialogue, SIA strives to build a brighter future for Africa, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of its people.