The African Forum for the Social and Solidarity Economy (FORA’ESS Dakar 2026) will be held from July 7 to 9, 2026, in Dakar, with an expected participation of around 2,500 actors representing roughly 30 countries across Africa and other regions of the world.
The announcement regarding the scheduling of the forum was made public on Monday evening in Diamniadio by Senegal’s Minister of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy, Dr. Alioune Dione, during the official launch of the event’s local organizing committee. In his speech, the minister underlined the strategic importance of this international meeting, noting that it firmly confirms the vitality of the African social and solidarity economy movement.
Initially planned to take place in another African country, this second edition of the forum was ultimately entrusted to Senegal due to particular circumstances that prevented its organization under the originally planned conditions. Dakar subsequently chose to step in to ensure the continuity of this pan-African initiative. According to the minister, this decision perfectly illustrates Senegal’s ongoing commitment to fully play its role as a facilitator and promoter of an economy based fundamentally on solidarity, inclusion, and cooperation between people.
Senegal has established itself in recent years as a deeply committed player in promoting the social and solidarity economy (ESS) on both continental and international levels. The country notably contributed to the global efforts leading to the official recognition of the ESS by the United Nations as a critical lever for sustainable development. Nationally, Senegal possesses a specific legal framework, a guiding law, and a national strategy entirely dedicated to the sector. This dynamic aligns with the broader vision of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has officially decreed 2026 as the “Year of the Social and Solidarity Economy and Employment”.
Placed under the central theme of “The Social and Solidarity Economy: engine of transition, inclusion and convergence in Africa”, this edition of FORA’ESS intends to directly address the continent’s major challenges, particularly youth unemployment, poverty, structural inequalities, and pressing environmental issues. For the Senegalese authorities, the ESS constitutes a concrete and innovative response to these hurdles by actively promoting local initiatives, strengthening communities, and fostering more inclusive and sustainable development.
For three days, the Senegalese capital will serve as a crossroads of exchanges and initiatives, welcoming a diverse array of actors including public officials, researchers, civil society organizations, cooperatives, mutual societies, social enterprises, financial institutions, and technical partners. The forum is designed to be a dedicated space for dialogue and co-construction, as well as a practical framework for action intended to bring out strong recommendations, lasting partnerships, and a shared vision of the ESS across Africa.
To support this goal, the minister launched an energetic appeal to international partners, regional organizations, foundations, public institutions, development structures, and the media to become actively involved in the success of the event. Ultimately, FORA’ESS Dakar 2026 is positioned as a major continental meeting and a platform open to the world, serving a more inclusive, united, and resilient economy. At the conclusion of the launch ceremony, Dr. Alioune Dione officially installed the Local Organizing Committee, marking the effective start of formal preparations for the forum.
TE/Sf/fss/abj/APA