The Contemporary Constraints and Opportunities for Social Entrepreneurship in Sudan

Sudan is a very young country, with 50.83% of its citizens between the age of 15–54 (Index Mundi, 2022) and an unemployment rate of 18.73% (Macrotrends data, 2022). Social entrepreneurshipSocial entrepreneurship is relatively new in the country, but evidence abounds that the concept is widely accepted, with over 55,000 of such enterprises in operation. According to the British Council Sudan (2020), social enterprises focus on addressing social and environmental challenges in society by creating jobs and generating income. However, profits made are not shared by the enterprise owners but channelled to improve the social mission the enterprise is set up for. Although Sudan holds immense innovative entrepreneurshipInnovative entrepreneurship potential, the array of constraints faced by Sudanese entrepreneurs significantly increases the risk of failure for many entrepreneurial endeavours. This chapter examines the contemporary issues, challenges, and opportunities of social entrepreneurship in the country and provides recommendations for overcoming some of these constraints to improve people’s lives in the communities and societies. By exploring the various constraints across political, legal, social, economic, and environmental dimensions, the chapter sheds light on the impact each of these dimensions has on the enterprises and the success of social entrepreneurship. Understanding and addressing these constraints is vital for nurturing an enabling environment for social entrepreneurship, driving positive change and sustainable development within the country.