Technical Solutions

Avoiding easy money has finally changed the game
After 10 years of avoiding Western aid, donor funding, well-meant impact investments and simply refusing to play the game of how Africa is seen and treated, my dream has finally come true.Take a look
COVID-19 success stories – a blog series: Hippo Roller
In this blog series, we explore how some of our epNetwork members have dealt with/been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in their work and in their communities. Next in the series is Hippo Roller.Get inspired
COVID-19 success stories – a blog series: Nonspec
In this blog series, we explore how some of our epNetwork members have dealt with/been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in their work and in their communities. Next in the series is Nonspec.Learn more
COVID-19 success stories – a blog series: EOS International
In this blog series, we explore how some of our epNetwork members have dealt with/been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in their work and in their communities. Next in the series is EOS International.More here
COVID-19 success stories – a blog series: aQysta
In this blog series, we explore how some of our epNetwork members have dealt with/been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in their work and in their communities. First in the series is aQysta.Get inspired
Social Enterprises as Job Creators: Four Ways the Sector Can Boost Employment Opportunities in Africa
In this post, Carola Schwank takes a deeper dive into Siemens Stiftung's recommended set of interventions to support SE job growth in Africa, including: financial support, technical support, improvements to the enabling environment and improvements to data availability.Take a look
Catalyzers of social innovation in under served markets: The case of IoT technologies
Internet-of-things (IoT) is one of the key components of the information and communication infrastructure needed for social impact creation in under served markets. More from guest author, Dr. Eugenia Rosca.Get informed
Our look back on 2020
It goes without saying that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years for so many of us across the globe. Let’s take a look at some reflections directly from us, your epNetwork team.Find out more
Africa needs Decent and Impactful Jobs – Now and for the Future!
By 2030, it is estimated that 1 million jobs can be created in 12 select African countries through the efforts of social enterprises. Support is needed from the international development ecosystem. Read the blog post
Read the latest report
Interview with Dr. Sebastian Groh (SOLshare): Seeking Impact Investment – Experiences from a Social Entrepreneur
SOLshare's revolutionary approach brings affordable solar energy to everyone in Bangladesh and beyond. In this interview, its Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Sebastian Groh, explains their journey in attracting impact investment.Find out more
Karen Hitschke from Yunus Social Business: The Role of Local Networks and Personal Interaction
In our interview we talked with the Managing Director of Yunus Social Business about the need of personal interaction for social entrepreneurs.Find out more
An interview with BiD Network’s Huseyin R Demirhisar: “Good Technology is Mutually Beneficial.”
BiD Network supports local entrepreneurs in East Africa. In this interview, its CEO Huseyin R Demirhisar talks about building entrepreneurial ecosystems and business documentation for attracting investors.Read more
An interview with ARED’s Henri Nyakarundi: “Fundraising is about networking”
Based in Rwanda, Henri is the founder of ARED and a member of epNetwork. In this interview he talks about the importance of platforms and the need to be in touch with local investors.Read more
Discussions about how to Improve Social Financing are recurrent – and that’s the way it should be
In this blog post, Leo Nima and Dr. Aline Laucke of Studio Nima take a look at social financing and impact investment in closer detail. Siemens Stiftung’s new report ‘How Digital Solutions May Enhance Social Financing’ explores this topic in depth, and discussions have shown that financing for SocEnts won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution. Learn more
Checking in with our epA 2019 winners – a blog series: Livox
From our 11-part blog series, we are checking in with our empowering people. Award (epA) 2019 winners. Here, we spoke with Carlos Pereira, CEO of Livox, to see what he and his team have been up to since our most recent award ceremony in Cairo last July. Check in now
Keeping our network alive during Covid-19: Lessons learned and digital ways of connecting
In a typical year, the empowering people. Network meets with its social entrepreneurs in person for epOnsites, workshops, seminars, etc. With Covid-19, in person meetings were replaced with digital formats. Here is a look at some lessons and learnings from the network's foray into the digital way of meeting.Get inspired
Read the latest report

SE as Job Creators in Africa

The study looked a job creating as well as job inhibiting factors for Social Entreprises based on different country contexts, in addition to demographic perspectives related to the African job market.

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Finance & Digitization

The report "How Digital Solutions May Enhance Social Financing" offers in-depth analyses and expert opinions on the current financing situation for social enterprises and possible digital solutions.

Read the report

Innovative Financing

In a Round Table that took place in Cairo in July 2019, two recurrent themes cut across the experts that discussed specific questions: partly automated data generation systems as well as matchmaking by pooling different sources of capital.

Solutions Database

We aim to identify and foster innovative technology that tries to solve basic supply problems around the globe. See some of the most promising solutions in our database.

Browse the solutions here

epExpert Service

Siemens Stiftung is looking for professionals who are interested in voluntarily supporting some of our empowering people. Network member organisations in the field, while Siemens Stiftung is covering the travel & living expenses.

Browse our positions here

Network Update

April 2021

This month's empowering people. Update features interesting blogposts, latest news about the activities in the network as well as events, dates and much more.

Subscribe to epUpdate here

Winners 2019

Have a look at the epAward 2019 winners!

Visit the winners!

Storytelling Online Tool

Learn how stories of your enterprise can become an asset for your company and change your business life. Develop your own social enterprise storyline in our Storytelling Online Tool.

Become creative

The Art of Pitching

epNetwork members and award winners share handy tips to inspire our 11 finalists before the big pitch at the epAward ceremony. Know the absolute do's and don'ts to grab the attention and create an impression.

Avoiding easy money has finally changed the game