Presenter(s):

Nancy Wagacha, Margaret Njagi; Charis Eagle, Richard, Wells of Hope, Kenya

Abstract

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF OLDER PERSONS IN AFRICA
By 2022 around 78 Million of the population will be for older persons above 60 years according to World Bank. The number will triple by 2050 to 215M.Most of the formal employment will be occupied by youthful population, in Kenya retiring age is 50 years, economic empowerment will be a long-term financial empowerment solution to avoid donor dependency.
Social enterprise In Older persons is an area growing to reduce poverty and meet the social and financial needs in Africa
The following are some of the social enterprises the order persons can be involved in economic empowerment.
1. Crafts – Beadwork
2. Community Health Empowerment
3. Agriculture
4. Microfinance-Table Banking
The government has the following initiatives
1. Hustler Fund – This is a fund for dis-enfranchised community with very low interest rate for business women
2. Women Enterprise Fund- This is affordable credit for women where they form groups and are given in form of grant

Benefits of Social Enterprise in Older Persons
1. Economic Empowerment to alleviate poverty
2. Reduces Dementia and helps in social reintegration to the community
3. Gives life skill
Challenges Faced By older Persons
1. Market and linkages of their products. Organization is trying to get international markets for the older person’s products
2. Digital Literacy – Most of the older persons are analog with no digital literacy
3.Lack of funders

Case Study Kibagare Slum
We started Kibagare community in 2012 and we used to give food donations and medical support for the vulnerable older persons.

KIBAGARE SLUM ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN 2025
In 2014 we started economic empowerment for the elderly and in 2015 we got invited in UN New York meeting where we got destiny connection of Katie Sloan. Since this time we have been getting LeadingaAge invitation, with Katie Sloan Leadership, we have been in Global Ageing Nwetwork, Commonage we got the vice chairman position in last year Durban meeting of training and currently with United State University we have been selected in Cohort of Africa Impact Academy to do social Enterprise in Kenya, Nigeria NAd South Africa hence rebranding name to Global Leading Age.
15th June we did celebrate Elderly Abuse Day with Commonage Kenya Chapter with the Kibagare elderly

COMMONAGE KENYA Richard and Margaret, this was birthed in Fullbright Scholar Training in SA, Durban Wells Of Hope Centre invitation June 2024
Conclusion
Its time for Africa to alleviate poverty through networking and collaborations in social enterprenuership by having access to global markets and exhibtions to sell their products.
Our long-term goal is to have an excellent older person’s home with integrated amenities for the middle income earners and we are open to partnerships

Bio(s):

Nancy Wagacha is a Program Director of Wells of Hope Centre.She is a Certified Public Accountant CPA(K) and a graduate of United State of Africa.Wells of Hope Centre was registed in 2012 and have been doing economic empowerment for social enterprise .Started in Kibagare 2012-2015 where the community became sustainable.2016-2020 she opened a school in Kangemi.In 2023 she started a daycare centre which she runs a children sponsorship programme.
Currently running special needs children caregivers economic empowerment.
Nancy has recently been nominated in Africa Impact Academy to be a voice in economic empowerment of vulnerable elderly and caregivers .Under Registration of Global LeadingAge,she will be doing marketing globally.
Under Commonage last year ,Wells of Hope also got nomination of Vice chairman Margaret Njagi.
Nancy is a mother of 4 children and a sunday school teacher and author of Hope Devotions that give inspiration and encourages people.